HOMEOWNERS in Lancaster and Morecambe are being asked to boil their drinking water after a supply fault.

United Utilities say an estimated 46,000 properties are affected in the following council wards:

Ellel; Overton; Caton; Heysham North, Central and South; Poulton; Parks; Slyne-with-Hest; Bolton-le-Sands; Scotforth West and East; John O'Gaunt; Alexandra; Harbour; Victoria; Torrisholme; Castle; Skerton East, West and Central; Bulk; Carnforth.

The advice is being given as a purely precautionary measure after a technical problem at Lancaster water treatment works resulted in part of the treatment process not working properly.

Water supplies will be maintained and there is no problem in using tap water without boiling for general domestic purposes including baths, flushing toilets or washing clothes.