VILLAGERS were without water and handed bottles of water after a water mains was damaged by a maintenance worker.

'A small number' of residents in Crossway, near Dorchester, experienced low water pressure and no water supply on Tuesday (August 24).

Affected residents were contacted by Wessex Water about the issue and told them they were going to fix the problem 'as soon as possible'.

Following investigations, a spokesman for Wessex Water confirmed one of their water mains was damaged by a third party working in the village and carried out emergency repairs in order to restore water supply to affected residents.

He said: “Unfortunately one of our water mains was damaged by a third party working in Crossways, causing low pressure and interrupting the supply of a small number of customers.

“Bottled water was delivered to those affected while we carried out emergency repairs, which were completed by 2.50pm.

"We’re sorry for the inconvenience.”