A burst water main in Holbrook has left homes in the surrounding areas without running taps.

East Anglian Daily Times: The burst water main in Holbrook Picture: PAVEL KRICKAThe burst water main in Holbrook Picture: PAVEL KRICKA (Image: Pavel.Kricka@btinternet.com)

Anglian Water is working to fix the problem and the supply is expected to be back to normal by midnight.

A company spokeswoman said households might have “very low water pressure or no water at all”.

The burst water pipe is located in Church Hill Road, Holbrook, and the road is due to remain closed for a few days while repairs are made.

Homes between the southern edge of Ipswich and the north Essex border have been affected, including in Tattingstone, Shotley, Capel St May, East Bergholt, Raydon, Holbrook and Belstead.

East Anglian Daily Times: The burst water main in Holbrook Picture: PAVEL KRICKAThe burst water main in Holbrook Picture: PAVEL KRICKA (Image: Pavel.Kricka@btinternet.com)

Pavel Kricka lives in Holbrook and he said his water was out between around 3pm to 4pm.

Mr Kricka captured dramatic pictures of the burst water main and he said it looked like a sinkhole had opened up in the road.

“There’s a lot of water going out by the looks of it,” he added.

Mr Kricka said the road closure would cause problems for people travelling to The Royal Hospital School.

Oliver Paul from Suffolk Food Hall, based in Wherstead, said staff were told they had to move their cows to a fresh pasture to access drinking water.

At 5.35pm, a spokeswoman for Anglian Water said: “Our teams have now isolated the burst water pipe, meaning there are about 40 properties affected in the Holbrook area. We’ll be using a tanker to get as many of those properties back on water as soon as possible.

“Our engineers will then be working to install a new value onto the existing water pipe this evening, which will restore supplies to all customers.

“Church Hill Road will need to remain closed, while we make the necessary repairs to the burst pipe and repair the road surface. Our teams will be working through the night to get this done as quickly as possible, but we estimate the full repair will take a few days to complete.

“We’re sorry for any inconvenience this causes and would like to thank customers for the patience while we make these vital repairs.”