SUBSIDENCE caused by rain and a major water pipe burst forced a Suffolk pub to be evacuated after its walls started to crack.The Limeburners in Offton will be closed for around two weeks while the road outside will also remain impassable.

SUBSIDENCE caused by rain and a major water pipe burst forced a Suffolk pub to be evacuated after its walls started to crack.

The Limeburners in Offton will be closed for around two weeks while the road outside will also remain impassable.

It is estimated a subterranean cavern measuring about nine by nine metres may have been created by the underground pipe burst - resulting in the severe subsidence - although experts will not know for sure until repair work starts today.

Kirk Bradley, landlord of the pub, said residents in the village had first begun to notice problems on Tuesday night.

He said: “I live up in Willisham and a lot of the locals didn't have water so they were coming in here for a drink and they said the water had been out since 4pm.

“We had to shut the fish and chip shop and restaurant for hygiene reasons because we couldn't wash our hands or anything.”

A spokeswoman for Anglian Water said yesterday: “We think the problems are due to a burst water main which has affected the nearby pub.

“Fourteen homes are without water and they are having bottled water delivered.

“We have isolated the main but we cannot get to do the repairs until the structural engineers allow us to do it because of risks posed by the pub.

“We are working closely with the Highways Agency to repair the road once we are allowed in. So we apologise for any disruption caused.”

She explained that the problem may well have been caused by the weather and added: “When there is a change in the weather the ground moves and it can put pressure on the pipes and cause them to split and burst, which is the most common cause of pipe mains bursting.”

Mr Bradley said the 250-year-old pub had to be evacuated at 10pm on Tuesday when the walls had started to crack. He said that he did not expect to have to pay for the damage.

Engineers at the scene said they expected houses in the village to have their water supply restored by the end of yesterday. Ipswich Road in Offton is expected to remain closed until November 1.

Travel changes for today, tomorrow and Saturday:

§ Chambers service 111 will operate between Sudbury and Bildeston as normal but will divert via Hadleigh and pick up the normal route again at Sproughton meaning residents in Nedging Tye, Naughton, Great Bricett, Wattisham Airfield, Ringshall Stocks, Barking Tye, Willisham, Offton, Somersham, Little Blakenham and Bramford will not be served.

§ Beestons service 111 (4.15pm journey from Ipswich only) will terminate at Somersham.

Changes from Monday until the end of the road closure:

§ Chambers/Beestons Service 111 will only operate between Ipswich and Somersham.

§ Offton Limeburners and Willisham village will not be served

§ Sudbury, Bildeston and Barking Tye will be served on a reduced timetable.

§ School buses between Somersham and Ipswich will travel as normal but those living west of Somersham are being contacted with revised arrangements.

§ For those living in areas where service is disrupted Club 88 (01449 616000) or LAMBS (01787 247300) may be able to help with some journeys.