Supplies being restored after water main bursts

Supplies are being restored after a water main burst on a major road into Eastbourne, according to a water company.

South East Water said repairs have been completed to the pipe near Eastbourne Road in Willingdon in East Sussex, which burst at 13:30 BST on Wednesday.

The company has apologised to about 2,000 customers who were left with either no water or low pressure.

It said that an "issue with water delivery" meant it was unable to open a bottled water station for those affected after saying earlier that one would be set up.

Supplies were expected to return throughout Wednesday evening and a new water main was being commissioned in the area, South East Water added.

Drone footage seen by the BBC shows some houses have been flooded.

The burst main was close to a new housing estate.

Charles Healey, South East Water's incident manager, said bottled water was being delivered throughout the evening to vulnerable customers who have signed up for the company's priority services register and may be affected.

He urged customers who were not registered and needed help to call the water company on 0333 000 0002.

South East Water renewed an urgent plea on Wednesday for residents to reduce water usage.

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.