Evacuation after 'large' gas leak

About 140 properties were evacuated following what fire chiefs described as a "serious and large" gas leak.

Workers damaged a high pressure gas main in Wingreen Close, Weymouth, Dorset, at about 1200 GMT, causing it to burst, a police spokesman said.

A 200m (657ft) exclusion zone was put in place. It was later reduced to 40m (130ft) and Preston Road was reopened.

Up to six elderly people who have difficulty with walking were helped to a nearby village hall by paramedics.

A gas engineer alerted police soon after the pipe was damaged.

It has been described as a "serious and large gas leak" by the fire service.

Workers from British Gas were at the scene and were working to reduce the pressure in the main before they could assess the damage.