There are more than 70 bowsers and static tanks

Up to 10,000 homes were affected after two water mains supplying Hexham and surrounding areas in Northumberland were swept away by floods.

Northumbrian Water is installing a new main and people should start getting their supplies back on Wednesday.

Homes in Slaley, Catton and Keenley were reconnected on Tuesday morning.

The water supply in the Hexham area has been affected since the weekend.

Engineers have been working since then to put in a new 3km water main. That should be completed on Tuesday - a process which would usually take several weeks.

All supplies should be returned by the weekend

A Northumbrian Water spokeswoman said some people should start to receive a water supply by Wednesday, but all supplies should be restored by Friday.

Tankers have been topping up reservoirs which meant supplies were restored to the villages of Slaley, Catton and Keenley on Tuesday morning.

More than 70 bowsers and static tanks have been set up in the area for people to collect water.

Northumbrian Water is advising people to boil all water for drinking and cooking until further notice as a precautionary measure.

Bottled water has also been handed out from Safeway car park and the tennis courts at Queen Elizabeth High School with 75,000 bottles given out so far.

Schools closed

Householders are being warned by Northumbrian Water and by Northumbria Police to be on their guard against bogus callers with the water company saying that its staff would not need access to houses during this period.

Schools in the Hexham area are closed and are likely to remain closed for the rest of the week.

The exception is sixth formers at Queen Elizabeth High School who are taking AS levels.

Houses in the area were also left without electricity for a period on Tuesday morning.