A BURST water main in the centre of Bolton left many businesses and shops without water for more than 24 hours.

The disruption started on Thursday morning when a pipe in the Kay Street area sprang a leak.

It caused a drastic reduction in water pressure.

Ben Roberts, manager of The Swan Hotel in Churchgate, said: "Fortunately we had back up tanks but they eventually ran out at the close of business on Thursday.

"We borrowed some water from a shop down the road and that got us through until the water came back on on Friday afternoon.

"If we'd had to shut on Friday night we could have lost about £12,000."

Pub manager Carolyn Cheetham, who runs Number Fifteen, also in Churchgate, said: "We had to shut early on Thursday night even though we had a gig on.

"I came in the following morning expecting it to be back on but it wasn't. The water finally came back on at about 4.15pm and that was when we were able to open."

And John Jewitt, landlord of Ye Olde Man and Scythe in Churchgate, said: "The toilets started blocking up and we couldn't wash any glasses but we managed to carry on serving."

United Utilities spokesman John Carberry said: "It was a complicated repair which required a piece of equipment to be manufactured and fixed, unfortunately that takes time.

"We apologise to our customers that they had to wait while this was done. If they feel there has been any losses as a result, we ask them to contact us."