Almost 6,000 homes in Kent hit as South East Water main bursts

Almost 6,000 properties in Kent are experiencing water supply problems after a pipe from a treatment works burst.

South East Water customers in Pembury, Matfield, Brenchley, Horsmonden and surrounding areas have been experiencing low pressure or no water due to a fault on a key main from Bewl Water Treatment Works in East Sussex.

At about 16:00 BST the firm said repairs were complete adding later that all supplies were expected to be returned by Friday morning.

The firm's Steve Benton said: "Water is now returning to the 5,850 properties affected by the burst in Pembury, Matfield, Brenchley, Horsmonden and the surrounding areas."

Bottled water stations at Tesco in Pembury and at Matfield Village Hall are now closed.

Previously the firm said ongoing repairs were proving "more complex than expected".

Lamberhurst St Mary's Church of England VC Primary School closed as it had no access to hot water.

"It is not safe for us to remain open," the school said.

Pembury Primary School has also closed.

Craig Hammond, who runs a butchers in Matfield, said he was planning to close on Thursday, saying it was impossible to stay open for "hygiene reasons."

Robert Thompson, from Lamberhurst Quarter, said he had little confidence in South East Water.

"Our supply goes off all the time," he said.