A WATER company has apologised after some homes were flooded and a busy road was closed after a water main burst.

Police shut off Cressing Road, in Braintree, on Sunday after a main beneath the road broke and forced water out onto the street.

Anglian Water has apologised after water affected six houses and firefighters were forced to pump water away from one of the homes.

On Monday, a spokesman for Anglian Water said: "Our teams are currently working to repair a burst water main on Cressing Road in Braintree.

"Teams immediately attended, but unfortunately a small number of nearby homes have been flooded. We know how upsetting flooding can be and teams are already on site helping the affected residents.

"Our teams are currently fixing the burst pipe and we’ve moved water around our network to return all customer supplies to normal while the repair is underway.

"Due to the nature of the burst, a full road closure is currently in place to allow our teams to make the repairs as quickly as possible.

"A diversion route is in effect in order to minimise disruption for road users.

"We’re really sorry for any inconvenience this has caused, especially to those whose homes have been directly affected.

"Rest assured we’re doing everything we can to get things back to normal as quickly as possible."

Anglian Water say they are hoping to have the main fixed by midday tomorrow.

Until then water tankers are being used to maintain the supply and residents across the area are being warned to expect low water pressure.

On Sunday the Prince Louis pub in Great Notley - more than four miles away - closed its restaurant for the rest of the day due to a lack of running water.

In Cressing Road, Colin Potter was visiting his mother as the drama unfolded.

Mr Potter said: "It was quite some time between the water appearing and the police and firefighters arriving and then the water company.

"Quite a lot of people came out in the street to see what was going on and some people were begin to move things upstairs from their downstairs."

Visit inyourarea.digdat.co.uk/AnglianWater.