Water supplies cut as pipe bursts

Thousands of households across Greater Manchester were left without water after a mains pipe burst.

United Utilities engineers were working on Sunday to fix the pipe on Joseph Glebe Road, Stretford, which ruptured at about 0615 BST.

It left homes in Stretford, Altrincham, Sale, Timperley, Fallowfield, Worsley, Walkden and Eccles without water.

United Utilities said it had re-routed supplies from another source and the water was expected back by lunchtime.

A spokesman urged customers to stop ringing the United Utilities call centre, which has been inundated on Sunday morning.

The firm's website, which usually puts up information about cut supplies, also crashed.

If any water discolouration occurs as the water returns customers should run their cold tap until it clears, a spokesman said.

"We do apologise for the inconvenience caused," he added.