Homes, schools and businesses throughout Aylsham are struggling to cope this morning after major disruption to the town's water supplies.

But an Anglian Water spokesman said the burst main causing the problem had now been repaired and water supplies should be coming back on.

AW engineers have been working in the central Red Lion Street since early this morning, Friday January 27, attempting to repair the main which has been causing chaos in the busy market town.

Three schools have been forced to shut for the day and Red Lion Street has been closed to traffic, adding to headaches for motorists who are already coping with the long-term closure of Burgh Road while a roundabout is built on the A140.

Aylsham High School, Bure Valley School and John Of Gaunt Infant and Nursery School have all closed because they did not have any running water this morning.

But Sue Lake, clerk to Aylsham Town Council, said St Michael's School was not affected and was open as normal.

'It seems to be dotted about in a random way,' she said. 'Some places have no water and others do. I think the Norfolk Homes estate is all right, but I know someone on the new Sir William's Lane estate is affected so it may be that estate has no water.'

Mrs Lake said people had first become aware of running water in the street on Tuesday, January 24.

'Then yesterday (Thursday) we found the town hall cellar had been flooded, as have some cellars in Red Lion Street. It's kicked out our boiler but we've still got water,' she added.

Space heaters had been hired in so that this morning's Country Market and tomorrow's Burns' Night Supper would go ahead in the Market Place town hall.

Mrs Lake said that while Red Lion Street remained closed, buses were not able to enter Market Place and were collecting and delivering people from the Bure Valley Railway station instead.

An Anglian Water spokesman said: 'We're really sorry customers in Aylsham had low pressure or no water this morning. A burst on Red Lion Street was being repaired in the early hours of this morning and it is now fixed. Water will be returning to customers now and we're grateful for everyone's patience.'

? Are you affected? Email alex.hurrell@archant.co.uk with details