National Grid engineers hope to restore gas supplies to 660 homes in Cringleford today after contractors working on a new housing development damaged a gas main yesterday.

The affected homes are on the new housing development at Round House Park off Newmarket Road, Norwich.

A National Grid spokesperson said: 'National Grid is working with utility infrastructure provider GTC to restore supplies to more than 600 homes in Norwich after contractors working on a new housing development damaged a gas main, belonging to GTC, yesterday.

'Engineers worked late into the night to restore gas to the affected homes.'

The damaged gas main was repaired last night and gas supplies were restored to Cringleford Church of England School and to vulnerable customers whose homes engineers were able to access.

Staff from National Grid and GTC have been on site since 6.30am today.

'It is hoped that most properties will be back on gas today but we will update people as we go through today,' the spokesperson added.

To restore supplies, engineers had to turn the gas off at the meter of every property.

Engineers will now have to visit every property again to switch the gas supply back on and check that gas is flowing safely.

National Grid warned people to not turn their own supplies back on until an engineer had visited.

An incident room has been set up at the Willows Community Centre, in Willow Croft Way.

•Anyone who smells gas or has problems with their gas supply should call National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.