WATER, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink, bathe in or do the family washing.

That was the situation for families on Higher Antley Street, Accrington in February 1979.

For a mains burst left 10 homes without water and they were having to rely on kind neighbours to fill up pans, bottles and buckets.

June Hall, with three children aged nine to 12, said: “It is ridiculous. The water was turned off at 9am and I was not given any prior warning. It is very difficult running a home without water, especially when you have got three children. The water is on for an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening but it is just like slutch. I think the water authority should at least provide a water cart so that I would be able to bathe the children. My husband Richard is furious. If the Water Authority do not supply us with water then they do not deserve their water rates.”