A MAN recovering from a cancer operation was among thousands of Darwen residents left without water when a mains burst cut off supplies.

Jim Newton, 71, of Durham Road, Darwen, returned home just over a week ago after an operation at Victoria Hospital in Blackpool to remove a cancerous growth from his lung.

Jim, who lives with his wife Jean, 60, and son Andrew, 33, said: "I managed without water as there was some left in the kettle. We have some bottled water in the house but my son Andrew had to go out and get more.

I couldn't to have a wash or a shave, and we were not told anything about what was happening."

Water was cut off to more than 6,000 homes after the main which supplies water to Earnsdale Reservoir burst at 3am yesterday.

Engineers from North West Water battled to restore the supply and all homes were reconnected by lunchtime.

Residents were provided with emergency supplies from 12 portable tanks in the Birch Hall, Avondale, town centre and southern areas. A mobile water tanker also provided supplies.

Schools were also affected but Geoff Tennant, headteacher at Avondale County Primary School, decided to keep the school open.

He said: "I didn't want four to 11-year-olds roaming the streets. North West Water gave us a water container to fill buckets so we could flush toilets. We contacted as many parents as possible to collect their children at 1.15pm but the school was not closed." School catering manager Jacqueline Smithson had to change the lunch menu, taking salad off as she couldn't wash it, and making puddings with milk.

Residents in Durham Road who were also affected included Walter Handley, 75, who said: "I didn't have a proper wash and my wife Jean had to go over to a friend's house to use their water.

Stanley Pilkington, 72, and his wife Kathleen, 70, also live in Durham Road. Stanley said: "I tried to use the tap at 6.40am and nothing came out. We weren't even notified about it, it's shocking.

"North West Water should give out more advice to people about what problems can be envisaged without water."

Pat Tattersall, 68, of Avondale Road, Darwen, said: "I was furious. I pay my water rates on time and it's so inconvenient. I'd rather starve than drink the brown water out of my tap."

A spokesman from North West Water said: "We apologise for any inconvenience. Our priority was to get the water back on to all homes as soon as possible.

"About 70 per cent of homes were reconnected by lunchtime and the remaining 300 homes were reconnected by 7.30pm. Our main difficulty was getting to the main which is located in the middle of woodland."