HUNDREDS of homes which were left without water when a mains pipe burst have had their supplies restored.

Firefighters were called to pump out homes and businesses after a major water main burst early today in London Road, Southborough.

Crews with three pumps from Southborough, Rusthall and Tunbridge Wells were called at 3.48am after reports of serious flooding caused by a 10 inch main.

South East Water specialist contractors were mobilised to help those householders affected and traffic was diverted away from the Harland Way area.

The supply was restored by about 1.30pm.

Jane Gould, for South East Water, said engineers had isolated the faulty section of pipe and re-routed water from storage tanks in north Tunbridge Wells to supply homes in Rusthall and Southborough again.

Drivers are warned, however, that there will be more delays while work to repair the main continues today and tomorrow. Temporary traffic lights are being used to control the traffic.

The large main transfers water to one of the company’s service reservoirs which then supplies the Southborough and Rusthall areas of the town.