A BURST main sent thousands of gallons of water flooding into several major roads in Blackburn town centre.

Contractors, working on land outside Lark Hill flats, burst a water pipe yesterday morning, which sent a cascade of water into Lark Hill, Barbara Castle Way and Penny Street.

The steps from the flats, leading down to Lark Hill, were turned into a gushing waterfall at about 10.30am. Cars, buses and lorries had to drive through two inches of water covering the roads.

A representative from North West Water was called out and the water was stopped about half an hour later.

A spokesman for the water firm said: "Water supplies serving the Lark Hill flats were cut off at about 11.30am and were restored by about 3pm after the main was repaired.

"Residents of the flats probably suffered a loss of water pressure or problems with their supply as soon as the main was damaged."

Picture: Our reporter Victoria Eglington watches as the flood water, caused by the mains burst, cascades down the steps leading to Lark Hill. Picture by CLIVE LAWRENCE