A 'major burst' in a water main wiped out half the town's water supply during breakfast time.

A burst pipe in Blunts Hall Road, Witham, had flooded residents' driveways and left many roads without water.

Residents were surprised at how widespread the incident was, and said it was not the first time it had happened.

Homes in Powers Hall End, more than a mile away, were also affected.

The burst happened at about 5am and the water was turned back on in places at about 9am.

Daren White was passing through Blunts Hall Road when he noticed the damage.

He said: "I drove through at 5:55am and found the road flooded.

"I noticed the water was flooding driveways and gardens and was heading into back gardens and garages.

"I managed to alert a resident whose light was on as the bungalows were the worst affected.

"I called 101 and informed Essex Police who said they would get someone out to turn the water off."

Students at Elm Hall Primary School in Conrad Road were sent home as the toilets were not working.

A spokesman for the school said: "We didn't have any water and we had children at the breakfast club.

"It meant we couldn't use the kitchen and we couldn't provide anything for them.

"The toilets were not working so on the grounds of health and safety we had to close the school."

Pauline Oakman, of Humber Road, said she was left without water too.

She said: "We have never had this problem before in our road as far as I know, the water came back on but the water pressure still wasn't right.

"Half of Witham has been without water."

Essex and Suffolk Water engineers were called to a 9 inch burst in at about 6.30am this morning.

A spokesman said: "Repair work is underway and after moving water around our network of pipes in the area, we have been able to restore supplies to homes in all but the immediate area around the burst.

"There is a road closure in place while we work to complete the repair.

"We have been in contact with customers to provide details of the on-going repair work and to keep them informed.

"We would like to thank motorists and residents in the area for their patience whilst we carry out this necessary works."

UPDATE: All homes have now been reconnected with their water supplies and a contractor for Essex & Suffolk Water will be working over the weekend to re-surface the road.

Due to the damage caused by the burst water main, the road closure is likely to remain in place until the middle of next week.

The diversion for motorists is via Spa Road, Powershall End and Terling Road.