A BURST water main in a Worcestershire village caused traffic chaos.

Police sealed off the A44 Pershore Road after being alerted to the burst, in Drakes Broughton, at 7.30am yesterday.

Water was flooding both carriageways and making the busy commuter road impassable.

The flood caused major tailbacks and drivers were diverted along the A4538 Old Worcester Road.

Gill Turton, spokeswoman for Severn Trent Water, said workmen were assessing the situation and repair work would start as soon as possible.

"We were on site as quickly as possible," she said.

"The first thing we had to do was assess the damage and make plans on that information.

"We also liaise with police and highways to ensure, for health and safety, that the road is as safe as possible and ensure traffic is kept flowing by implementing diversions.

"We will, of course, repair the damage as quickly as possible."