Water being restored to thousands of homes

Hundreds of properties were advised not to use their water for drinking or cooking

Engineers are working through the night to restore water to thousands of customers in southern Scotland following a fault at a treatment works.

Nearly 300 properties were temporarily advised not to use their water for drinking or cooking.

Scottish Water said that about 5,000 customers had been affected by low water pressure or no water in the Duns, Eccles, Eyemouth, Coldingham and Chirnside areas of the Borders.

As of 21:00 it had restored supplies to 4,200 properties in parts of Berwickshire with a further 1,800 expected to be restored by the early hours of Friday.

Problems were identified at the Rawburn Water Treatment Works on Tuesday and work is ongoing to restore supplies.

Bottled water has also been supplied at a number of locations across the area.

John Griffen, water operations general manager, said: "We are pleased to have restored normal supplies for most of the affected properties and will continue to work through the night to do likewise for those still affected.

"We would again like to apologise to all affected customers for the inconvenience caused and thank them for their patience and understanding."

Scottish Water earlier told customers in Duns not to drink or cook with the water but that advice was later lifted.