A BURST main has left residents in the New Forest without water this morning.

Southern Water says engineers have been called to Lyndhurst Road, Ashurst, after the main burst at about 4am today.

Resident Sallie Macfarlane-Ayres said she was conserving water in case she ran out at her café on the main road, while workers at the Oak Tree Lodge care home said routines for their 18 residents had been “difficult” and “disturbed”.

One resident who did not want to be named said the morning had been “tricky” and that water from the hot water tank could soon run out.

A Southern Water statement says: "In order to reduce surface water flooding and further damage to the road, we have currently had to reduce the mains pressure until our teams arrive on site.

"We will then need to isolate the main fully in order to carry out repairs to around 70 properties.

"At this time we are unable to estimate the completion time, but we will update as the situation develops.

"Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused."