Burst pipe sees homes and businesses left without water since Monday - and it's going to be 'few days' before it's fixed

United Utilities has apologised after large parts of a town have been left without water since Monday due to a burst water main. It's thought scores of homes and businesses in Whitworth near Rochdale have been cut off at various times, while many more are experiencing low water pressure.

United Utilities are handing out bottled water to those affected and have set up temporary pumping stations to try to improve the pressure. But it's understood some businesses have temporarily closed due to the problems.

Due to the remote location of the leak, in a wood above Cowm Reservoir, workers are having to dig down to the damaged pipe by hand - and, according to local councillor Scott Smith, that could mean it's another four days before the leak is repaired. Coun Smith said: "There are a significant number of residents and businesses without water.

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"That has lessened since Monday, but it's not been completely relieved. There are tankers at four locations pumping water, that's improved things, but it hasn't alleviated it completely.

"It seems to be mainly affecting the southern end of the town, especially properties which are high up, because of the water pressure. I heard of a couple of businesses which have had to close, but other businesses have stepped up.

"One of the hairdressers is offering free hair washes before the kids go back to school while Healey Dell was also offering water to people who were cut off. But United Utilities' response has been really impressive. They turned up with wagons to start pumping water and the morning after set up a bottled water station."

A United Utilities spokesperson said it wasn't possible to