SHOPS in one of Blackburn town centre's main roads were left ankle-deep in water last night after a water main burst.

Fire crews were called to Darwen Street by the police, at about 8.30pm, and the road was quickly cordoned off.

At least three shops were known to have suffered some water damage, and fire crews helped engineers from water firm United Utilities to stop the water.

Residents in other parts of the town also reported a drop in water pressure because of the leak, which flooded Darwen Street from the junction with Jubilee Street to the railway bridge.

Today shopkeepers were due to begin counting the cost of the flood.

Susan Brodie, owner of Wedding Belles of Blackburn, a bridalwear manufacturer and sales shop, was called by the police while she ate at a restaurant.

She said: "I was just in a restaurant having a meal and they said the water main had burst.

"They told me to get down here.

"The water is in the shop, but the dresses are slightly raised off the floor so they might be alright."

According to Mrs Brodie, the stock at the store, which has been sited in Darwen Street for more than five years, is worth 'a lot' of money. A basement also contains materials for the manufacture of wedding dresses.

Nearby shop '247staff' also flooded. Owner Paul Taylor said: "I live near Witton park and I had to call the water company to say there was no water.

"They said if you're in Blackburn it's because there has been a burst water main on Darwen Street."

Restaurant La Mamma, at the junction with Weir Street, was also several inches under water.

Paving stones had been ripped up by the water pressure around the burst main, sited near to the newly built central reservation on Darwen Street.

Firefighters from Blackburn and Burnley battled to stop water from flooding into shops used the paving stones to build temporary barriers in front of properties.

Metal detectors were also used in the hunt to find valves in the road to shut off the water, and emergency services were on site until about 1am.

The road was today due to be closed for some time while repairs are carried out.

Watch manager Keith Cunliffe of Blackburn fire station said: "From our point of view it was damage limitation until they got the water switched off. We put sandbags and anything we had to try and stop the water from entering properties.

"The water was reduced in stages and we tried to divert the water into one areas and pump it away. Most of the night was spent pumping out the shops around and getting them cleaned up.

"Most of the water is gone but there will still be some shops opening up that find they have some basement flooding."