Hundreds of homes remain without water for a third day after a mains pipe burst in sub-zero temperatures.

Taps ran dry for Canterbury households and businesses in the early hours of Saturday.

Repairs to the burst water main are causing major traffic issues this morning, with drivers crawling along the A257 and taking 30 minutes to do a 0.8-mile journey.

The CT1 1WB postcode is affected by water supply issues, including Querns Road, part of Military Road, Spring Lane, Howe Green and Royal Parade.

South East Water opened a bottled water station at the Park and Ride in New Dover Road.

An update from the water company last night said: “Our teams have been working day and night to locate non-visible burst water causing the supply problems.

“An area of interest has been located in Connors Way.

“A road closure is now in place here for the safety of our teams and the public, and we will be digging here [on Sunday evening].

“We have managed to re route water from other areas to restore supplies to some customers.

“However, those near to the area we believe the burst to be in will still have no water.”

An unmanned bottled water station is also available at Canterbury Golf Club and Driving Range, CT1 1TW.

Earlier one resident, who asked to remain anonymous, told KentOnline that engineers had dug a hole outside St Martin’s HIll Post Office but had not found the source of the disruption there.

She said: “We have no water at all in our taps, zero.

“We can't do anything. We can't shower, use the toilet, the sink or the kitchen, our home is not operational.

“My husband drove past and spoke to them and they said they didn't find anything.

“I was amazed they dug a hole, found nothing, and are now standing around waiting.

“Tomorrow is a new week of work and I can't go back without a shower.

“Some people have family nearby so it's better for them because they can use the water at their house, but we don't have any family here.”

The water company earlier apologised for a lack of updates.

Cllr Connie Nolan (Lab), who represents the Barton ward, said she was "very concerned".

"I know some people have no water and some people have very little pressure," she said.

"I have spoken with South East Water about residents who may be vulnerable.

"Their advice is to call 0333 000 0365 and register as a vulnerable resident and its customer support team will supply bottled water."

South East Water initially said a pipe had frozen but then said the problem had been caused by a “non-visible burst water main”.