A MAN’S kitchen was flooded by a water main burst, which also cut off supplies to households in Wickford.

The problem also closed Oakfield Primary School, in Scott Drive, to most pupils.

Essex and Suffolk Water staff worked all day on Thursday in Hovefields Avenue to fix the damaged pipe.

Flooding victim Danny Copeland, 73, of Hovefields Avenue, said it was the second time in five years his home had been inundated by a burst main.

He believes Essex and Suffolk Water have classified the pipe as a low priority for replacement because it is not in a densely-populated area.

Mr Copeland said: “The flooding is about eight or nine inches in some places and six inches all around the house.

“The water has been cleared away now and the water company has said it will replace my carpet, It has also put dehumidifiers in the house.”

Mr Copeland, who has lived in the house for more than 50 years, was quick to praise the water company’s speed of response to the flooding, which started at about 6am.

Essex and Suffolk Water said it was hard to estimate how many customers had been cut off by the problem. However, about 50 people on the Wick Estate posted on the Wickford Action Group Facebook page, complaining of low pressure or no water at all.

A water company spokesman said: “Essex and Suffolk Water has been dealing with a burst on a large 18-inch cast-iron main near Hovefields Avenue, Wickford.

"We would like to apologise for the disruption to water supplies to some customers’ properties."