Engineers have pumped more than 50,000 litres of water from a village’s gas main after a water pipe burst, leaving about 900 homes and businesses without gas.

The flooding began late last Wednesday night in Grigg Lane, Headcorn.

More than 120 properties have been reconnected so far and an information trailer set up where elderly customers, those with young children and villagers with other special needs could get portable electric cookers and heaters.

By Monday afternoon some homes had been reconnected. Engineers were working on reconnecting properties in neaby properties.

A company spokeswoman said: “Once the water has gone we then have to go around and visit each home, do a safety check to make sure everything is OK, before re-lighting the gas. It is a very long process.”

Help and advice is available from engineers on site or by calling the 24-hour helpline on 0845 070 1431.