RESIDENTS in Prestwich were affected when more than 3,000 homes in Greater Manchester were left without water on Wednesday after a major mains burst.

Supplies in Prestwich, Blackley and Crumpsall were thought to be affected. Engineers are working on the problem.

Middleton Road southbound near the Victoria Avenue junction, Higher Blackley, was closed due to flooding.

Bowker Vale Primary School and Cravenwood Primary school were shut, but North Manchester General Hospital was not affected.

A spokeswoman for United Utilities said an estimated 3,500 homes had been affected.

She said: "Our engineers are assessing the situation. We will restore supplies as soon as we can and apologise for any inconvenience in the meantime."

Greater Manchester Police said traffic was being diverted along Victoria Avenue.