A DISCO which was gearing up for the biggest night of the year is now mopping up after falling victim to the big freeze.

Peppermint Place in Blackburn was knocked for six when flood water came cascading down from a burst water main.

Staff joined firefighters in baling out soaked dancefloors and ceiling tiles were brought down in the flood, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Blackburn Police called the emergency gritters out after the torrent spilled on to the main multi-storey car park, turning part of it into a skating rink.

Assessors were still counting the cost of the damage this morning.

However, manager Keith Lamb said the club would definitely be open for business tonight.

"If we don't have both rooms open for tonight they will both be open for tomorrow," he said.

"We've got a number of specialist companies in today looking at the damage but it is more of a clean-up job. We are still trying to get to the bottom of what caused it but a pipe burst that shouldn't have."

He told people with tickets for New Year celebrations: "The only worry they should have is to make sure they enjoy themselves."

Elsewhere, there was chaos as water mains burst in houses throughout the area.

One unlucky family is in for a nasty surprise when they get back from holiday. For every room of their home in St James Road, Blackburn, was left inches deep in water after a frozen water tank burst in the loft and then flooded the rest of the house.

There was also flood damage to a house in Tintern Crescent after a water main burst.

Firefighters from Accrington were called out to Brown Street when water from a leaking fire hydrant turned the road into a sheet of ice.

And police warned motorists to avoid Catlow Hall Street, Oswaldtwistle, earlier today after a burst main made conditions treacherous.

Assistant Divisional Officer Colin Cunliffe, of Accrington Fire Station, said there had also been problems caused by freezing pipes leading to surges in water pressure which had then activated factory sprinkler alarms.

"We've had about 12 calls like that a day for the past three days," he said.

He advised home owners affected by flooding to turn the electricity off and seek the advice of a qualified electrician before turning it back on.

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