Up to 8,700 houses without water

Up to 8,700 customers in the Merseyside area are without water after workers hit a major water main.

The damage was caused by private contractors working on a road which led to the water supply being cut to houses in the Ormskirk area.

United Utilities has a team of engineers at the scene working to repair the pipe.

The road will have to be excavated and it is estimated that it will not be fixed until midnight.