WELLESBOURNE residents had to do without water for a morning yesterday (Thursday) after a mains pipe burst in a nearby field.

Around 2,000 households lost their supply, although Severn Trent aimed to ease discomfort by sending out tankers with fresh supplies.

Many had to walk to a stand pipe to fill bowls and buckets to get them through the day, although bottles were taken to the homes of elderly people unable to fetch water for themselves.

The 12 ins main pipe, which runs through a field close to the airfield, may have burst because of the recent unpredictable weather, according to Severn Trent.

Pipes can move in wet weather and move back again when the ground dries, causing the pipe to fracture.

All houses had their supply re-connected by the end of the afternoon. Compensation will not be paid as water was restored within 48 hours.