A burst water pipe flooded a housing development and forced the closure of several local schools.

More than ten homes on Gerrard Street in Kirkholt, Rochdale were affected.

United Utilities shut off the water supply and sent engineers to make repairs.

Janet Brooks said the flooding was “just horrible” and added the street had suffered repeated problems with burst pipes over the past five years.

A dozen properties had their gardens and ground floors flooded when the water main burst.

The floodwaters have since cleared, but Holy Family Roman Catholic School, St Mary’s Primary School and Sandbrook Community Primary School have all closed due to lack of water supply.

United Utilities apologized to its customers and sent water trucks to help keep tap water flowing.

“But some may notice they have low pressure or no water during repairs,” a spokesperson added.

“Around six o’clock I woke up, looked out the window and it was full everywhere,” Shani Walker said.

She said her hallway and part of her living room were filled with “dirty water.”

Water main breaks are a “recurring problem” in the region, she added.

Meanwhile, her neighbor, Ms Brooks, agreed and said such flooding had happened many times before.

She said her porch, rugs, living room and entire yard were damaged.

“The pipes burst – that’s all they say – well, they have to replace the pipes, don’t they.”