Taps flow again in Hastings homes hit by Christmas Day mains burst

Southern Water has apologised to households in Hastings that were left without running water on Christmas Day as it confirmed the supply should now be "running as normal".

Around 100 customers reported either low pressure or a complete loss of supply after a burst water main, the firm previously said.

The affected postcodes included TN34, TN35, TN37 and TN38, and Southern Water set up a bottled water station and delivered supplies directly to those who needed them.

The disruption was said to be caused by "very low" water levels at Fairlight reservoir and a power outage at Brede water supply works, the firm said.

In an update issued on Boxing Day, Southern Water said the water supply to the areas affected should now be "running as normal".

It said some households may experience "a slight change in odour and discolouration" in their tap water, but added that this is "normal after intermittent loss of water or low pressure in the network".

Reservoir levels are said to be "slowly improving" and the firm has closed its bottled water station at Pelham Place car park.

A spokesperson for Southern Water said: "Thank you for your patience and support, we're very sorry this happened, especially over the Christmas break."

Jo Walker, a local Green Party councillor, said residents lost water at about 4pm.

Ms Walker said one resident contacted her saying that she had to go to a neighbour's house for water to drink while another lost their heating and had to use blankets for warmth.

She added: "There have been a lot of neighbourly niceties, people going around and making sure their neighbours are OK, delivering them bottles of water to making sure that everyone's actually got some water to drink."

Helena Dollimore, Labour MP for Hastings and Rye, said she was "angry" that the town is "paying the price for the failures of Southern Water". Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.