Lancashire residents left without water on one of the hottest weekends this summer should expect supplies to return this evening

Householders in Blackburn and Darwen have been without water since Saturday following a burst water main at Old Farmside, Ewood.

A team from United Utilities have been trying to repair the problem over the weekend, and taps are expected to start flowing again this evening after engineers managed to bypass the burst water main.

Over the weekend, water tankers were sent to pump extra water into the pipes while water stations were set up to provide free bottled water to residents without a supply.

The problem began to be investigated at around 10am on Saturday after reports of no water or low pressure.

United Utilities explained the water main is 5m underground and as deep as a 2 storey house which made the excavation difficult.

In the latest statement at 7pm on Sunday, a spokesman from United Utilities said: “We are hoping to have taps flowing again for many customers in the area later on this evening as our team have managed to bypass the burst water main.

"When supplies are restored, it may take a bit of time for your pressure to build back up to normal.

"This is because we will need to turn the water on gradually to avoid causing further problems on the network, so please continue to bear with us.

“We have now opened a third free bottled water station Darwen Market Square, BB3 2RJ.

“The other bottled water stations will also remain open at Witton Park, BB2 2TS, and Pleasington Playing fields, BB2 5LE.

“We’re really sorry for the inconvenience caused and thank you again for your ongoing patience.”

Automatic compensation payments will be made to anyone who has gone without water for more than 12 hours.

A United Utilities spokesman added: “We want to reassure customers that we will be making automatic compensation payments to anyone who has gone without water for more than 12 hours. “Customers affected do not need to contact us, this will all happen automatically.”

Bottled water stations will be open until 8.30pm tonight.