VULNERABLE Rubery pensioners were left in the cold without heating or water for hours while work was carried out to fix a leak.

The leak trickled down Callowbrook Lane and, without warning, the water supply to nearby homes was turned off at around 5pm.

Bromsgrove District Council's Labour group leader, Cllr Peter McDonald (Lab, uffdown and Waseley) who lives in the village, rang Severn Trent Water bosses immediately.

He was promised a water tank would be sent round the houses because officials were unsure of when the water would flow again.

The leak, which happened last Friday night, January 12, is the second in the lane -- the first one still has not been fixed.

Cllr McDonald said: "On one of the coldest nights, pensioners were left unable to turn their heating on and without water to make themselves a warm drink.

"I rang Severn Trent Water every 30 minutes and, despite its promises, we did not see a water truck.

"Three hours later things were back to normal but we were left high and dry without warning."

A water firm spokesman apologised for the inconvenience and said areas affected included Callowbrook Lane, Brook End Drive, Windmill Avenue, Rea Avenue, Segbourne Road and Leasowe Road.

She added: "It was caused when a three-inch main pipe burst.

"We used a loud hailer to warn residents and fixed it as quickly as possible."