IN PICTURES: Smashed water main floods Pattingham and leaves streets submerged in muddy water

Homeowners were forced to put sandbags outside their properties to stop the flood waters getting inside.

The burst was caused by builders from construction company Speller Metcalfe after they smashed through a water main at their Hall End Lane site at around midday yesterday.

Brown, muddy water gushed down onto High Street, also blocking off the surrounding roads as the flooding began to rise, leaving many people stranded for hours and unable to get into their homes.

Pattingham and Patshull Councillor Terry Mason, who lives on High Street, said: "All day we've been trying to prevent the water from causing any more damage, which has been a near impossible task as it hasn't stopped flowing.

"The only positive I can take from this happening is how the community didn't think twice in pulling together."

Matt Brown, living director at Speller Metcalfe, said: "We are sorry to all those who have been affected by the severed water main."