HUNDREDS of freezing York residents today woke to their fourth day without heat.

Gas supplier Transco said power was restored last night to about 40 homes in Salisbury Terrace, Leeman Road - leaving homeowners in about 260 properties in the area still shivering.

Spokeswoman Polly Rourke said she expected 50 Lincoln Street homes to be reconnected before noon today. The majority of residents should be back on line by the end of today, she said.

The problem was sparked by a burst water pipe on Monday which leaked into the gas mains. Workers are pumping water out round the clock in an attempt to fully restore supplies. The spokeswoman said: "We pumped out about 330 gallons of water yesterday. Unfortunately, water seems to have gone further into the system than we thought."

Pockets of low-lying water are today due to be flushed out of pipes.

Mother-of-four Sarah Amers, of Lincoln Street, said: "It gets to the point where you just get used to it."

Responding to criticism about the time taken to restore supplies, Transco said: "We are working flat out.

"It's not through lack of effort."

Transco has apologised and supplied heaters to vulnerable residents.

Householders are entitled to £30 compensation for every 24 hours they are cut off.

Updated: 10:04 Thursday, December 02, 2004