PUPILS in Fairford were sent home early yesterday after a burst water main left town residents without water.

Thames Water has apologised for the disruption caused by a burst water main in Netherton near Quenington.

The problem affected customers in Fairford and led to the closure of Farmor’s School and Fairford C of E Primary School on Wednesday, April 17.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Farmor's School pupils were sent home after the water was still not working at 11.30amFarmor's School pupils were sent home after the water was still not working at 11.30am (Image: Camilla Foster)

One resident said: “Thames Water are sending engineers out. There’s no water at some GL7 postcodes, this in Fairford.

“It keeps happening when we wake up to find water has been shut off.”

Both schools were assured water would be back on by 10am, however school buses were called back to pick up the children and the school decided to close as the water was not back by 11.30am.

Farmor’s School staff confirmed that they had to close the school.

A Thames Water spokesperson said: “We’re very sorry to customers and the local Fairford community who have experienced low water pressure or had no water today.

“This is the result of a burst water main in Netherton, near Quenington.

“Our engineers were onsite on Wednesday morning working to repair the broken pipe.

“In the meantime, we’ve been tankering water into our network pipes, to keep the taps flowing for customers.

“We’ve also delivered bottled water to vulnerable customers who are signed-up to our priority services register and to a small number of properties still impacted.”