WATER has been cut off to hundreds of properties in the village of Worsthorne.

The problems were first reported to United Utilities at around 6.15am today with residents reporting their taps running dry.

A decision was made at 8am to close Worsthorne Primary School, Brownside Road, for the day with parents and pupils told of the problems on arrival.

United Utilities said the cause was centred on a burst water main under a field close to Ormerod Street.

A spokesman for the company said that they had received more than 90 calls from the village early today reporting loss of water supply and two response teams had been sent to the area to assess the issue and begin repairs.

She added “We are sending two water tankers to the area will would pump water directly into the mains to try to alleviate the supply problems.

“This will help some customers regain their water but it may not restore the supply to everyone.”