A KEY road off the A127 in south Essex is set to remain closed for a week while a complex burst water main is repaired.

Daws Heath Road was shut off between the A127 and Lower Wyburns Farm in Rayleigh on Wednesday afternoon after the water main burst.

Engineers said earlier this week that they were working "incredibly hard" to get the road re-opened as soon as possible.

However, the road could remain closed until Friday, August 16.

An Essex and Suffolk Water spokesman said on Wednesday: "We are currently carrying out two separate sets of emergency repairs on two main roads in Essex.

"This is due to burst water mains in each area. All customers are still in supply, and our teams are working incredibly hard to get both roads reopened as soon as possible.

"We expect Forest Road [in Ilford] to be reopened by the end of the week, however we believe that repairs to Daws Heath Road may take longer.

"We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused, and would like to thank residents for their patience."