SOUTHERN Water staff are working through the night to tackle a major burst water main in Winchester.

Water cascaded through parts of the city in the Fulflood area earlier this afternoon after the leak in Bereweeke Road.

This evening a Southern Water spokesman told the Chronicle: "We've isolated the burst at Bereweeke Road, Winchester SO22 from our network and customers affected should be seeing their supplies returning to normal.

"Our team is on site and we will working hard through the night to fix the pipe. We'd like to thank our customers for their patience during this incident."

Scores of homes were without water after a water main ruptured under a city road.

Thousands of gallons of water are flooding onto Bereweeke Road in Weeke.

Southern Water are at the scene to stem the water which is flowing downhill along Andover Road to the City Road-Stockbridge Road crossroads.

Local resident Ian Tait said: "It is an absolute torrent. I struggled to get up the road without being soaked. It is the worst water leak I have ever seen."

A Southern Water spokesman said a large 12-inch main had burst and an inspector is on site assessing the seriousness. A repair team is on its way, he said.

He said it was unclear how many properties had suffered a water loss.

Lanterns Nursery is closest to the leak and was forced to close early.

Lynsay Falkingham, acting headteacher, said it had closed early because of the loss of water

She said: "It is right at the end of our drive. Fortunately we are slightly higher up.

"The water is just gushing out. The concrete and tarmac is being lifted up. They are shutting the road now.

"We closed because we did not know if the parents would be able to get out of the car park and because we have no water."

The Southern Water spokesman added: "We’re currently dealing with a burst 12” water main in Bereweeke Road, Winchester SO22 6AJ and our crews are on site to investigate. Customers in and around the SO22 area may experience low pressure or loss of supply.

"We’re sorry for the inconvenience and thank everyone for their patience while we work on this emergency as quickly and safely as possible. Please keep checking our website for updates. "