A ROAD has been submerged with water after a water main burst in the early hours of this morning.

Fenton Street in Elton was covered in water after a 12 inch high pressure water pipe burst at 4.45am.

The burst led to a number of schools in the area closing for the day.

Repair works are now expected to continue this evening.

A United Utilities spokesman said: "Due to the complex nature of the repair to the burst water main on Fenton Street, work will be on-going throughout the course of the evening. 

"Whilst we complete the repair to the pipe itself, we've brought in water from other areas so the majority of customers should now find they have water. 

"A small group of customers remain without water but we are contacting these customers directly to keep them updated and are aiming to return supplies to those homes as quickly as we can.

"Our team of engineers are still onsite making the repairs. We’ll update this message as soon as the work has been completed. We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused."

A statement St Andrew's Primary School in Graves Street, Radcliffe, website this morning said: "Following health and safety procedures, St Andrew's Primary School and Nursery will be closed today due to a burst water mains.

"We will update you on the situation for tomorrow when we hear from United Utilities."

United Utilities initially reported that only 80 homes were affected.

However, they later confirmed that 169 properties were left without water and many other people in the area were complaining of discoloured water.

An inspector was sent to the road at 5.20am.

A team of engineers arrived at 9.25am and they are working to get the water in the area through other pipes so the main pipe can be isolated and repaired.

United Utilities were alerted to the incident shortly before 5am by Greater Manchester Police.

Gorsefield Primary School in Radcliffe tweeted: "Sorry, the burst water pipe has now affected Gorsefield. School is unfortunately closed due to no water. Sorry for any inconvenience."

Radcliffe Primary School also put a message on their website saying that they had closed due to the burst pipe.

Other schools that were also closed were Cams Lane Primary School, Wesley Methodist School and Elton Primary.

All the schools are expected to open tomorrow apart from Gorsefield Primary School who said they would make a decision and text parents at 7am.

Fenton Street will remained closed for the rest of the day.