Gas restored to cut-off villages

Gas has been restored to three Surrey villages where supply was cut off for four days after a water main burst.

Southern Gas Networks said Shere, Gomshall and Abinger Hammer were reconnected on Wednesday by engineers who visited the 350 affected premises.

They were still working to reconnect a small number in Leather Lane, Willow Walk and Pilgrims Way in Shere.

Engineers left cards with a helpline number at the properties where residents were out.

But they urged customers not to attempt to restore supplies by themselves unless an engineer deemed it safe to do so.

Water had to be removed from the gas main network following the burst water main on Saturday.

The water leak affected the gas mains, forcing the company to shut off the supply.

Southern Gas Networks said householders will be automatically credited with £30 for each day without gas, the rate agreed by regulator Ofgem.