A WATER main burst this afternoon in Hale — sparking fears of flooding in nearby homes.

The burst sent hundreds of gallons of water cascading down the sloping section of Grove Lane and led to fears of serious flooding to several properties.

Former Trafford councillor Neil Taylor, who filmed the flooding and took photographs, told the Messenger: “There are eight or nine properties affected, but properties at the bottom of the lane have been affected more seriously with up to 1 foot in one garden and fears that it could get into the properties.

One of the residents affected, but who did not wish to be named, said: “We have a sunken garden and because we are at the bottom of the hill its flooding into the garden and getting into the airbricks in the basement.”

Another resident told the Messenger: “I saw the water flooding down the lane after 2pm and contacted United Utilities, but three hours later there is no sign of anybody dealing with it.”

Mr Taylor said he saw a United Utilities van at 5pm, but it had left the scene with the water still escaping down the lane.

A United Utilities spokesman said: “It is a 6-inch water main that has burst, due to the pressure in the pipe and peak draw time around now; engineers are carrying out a control shut off which involves gaining access to ten separate water valves some are in the middle of roads.

"We have clear-up crews attending to location too.”