BOTTLED water has been shipped into villages near York after a water main burst and severed the supply to hundreds of households.

Residents at Linton-on-Ouse, Newton-on-Ouse and Shipton-by-Beningbrough were left without water for about six hours and were today only receiving a low pressure supply.

A water main at the side of the Tollerton to Newton-on-Ouse road burst at about 9pm yesterday. A different main was connected at about 3am, but was only able to offer a low pressure supply to the villages.

Bottled water was taken to Newton-on-Ouse and Linton-on-Ouse early today for residents to pick up and supplies were also expected at Shipton.

Yorkshire Water contractors were still working on the problem and the main was expected to be fixed today.

All households were then expected to be reconnected to the normal water supply.

Updated: 10:38 Thursday, January 24, 2002