College and schools closed due to burst water pipe

Wessex Water are currently working to identify and repair the leaking pipe

Seven schools and a college are closed because a burst pipe has left them without water.

Yeovil College, Birchfield Primary School and Fairmead School, in Yeovil, Somerset, are among those that are shut on Friday.

Dozens of properties across the town are reporting low water pressure or having no water at all.

Wessex Water, which supplies the water in the area, said workers are on site to repair a burst pipe in Buckland Road.

"Our team are currently on site to repair the problem and, where possible, we have sent text messages to customers to advise them about the issue," a spokesperson said.

"Our team are working hard to complete the repair and we apologise for any inconvenience caused," they added.

The other schools which are closed are Buckler's Mead School, St Michael's Academy, Milford Infants School, Milford Junior School and Primrose Lane Primary School.

Yeovil College said Yeovil College University Centre and the nursery are also closed.

Wessex Water said a water pipe in Buckland Road in Yeovil has burst

Preston School Academy - which remains open - said staff are providing drinking water for students after a number of them arrived "without having had a drink this morning".

Matt Doble, the deputy head, said: "A lot of our students are coming in saying they've been unable to take a shower or have a drink this morning.

"When we realised we still had good water pressure, we said if any families need to come in and bring a plastic bottle to refill, we're more than happy to support the local community on that front."

Ken Coombes says people travel from far and wide to attend their facility, but the burst pipe means they cannot accommodate them

Ken Combe is CEO of The Hub, a Yeovil-based charity supporting adults with learning disabilities and autism.

He was forced to close the centre at short notice after the burst pipe cut off their water supply.

"We didn't have any water for our cafe, we couldn't flush our toilets, people couldn't wash their hands.

"For health and hygiene reasons, we've unfortunately had to close the whole facility today.

"Our trainees came here this morning happy, looking forward to their day, and unfortunately we've had to send them home," he added.