MORE than 1,200 properties were left without water after a mains burst.

It happened at Beamish, near Chester-le-Street, in County Durham before 7am this morning (Thursday, February 13).

It affected the village and the open air museum, High Handenhold and No Place.

A handful of properties at No Place had no running water until the late afternoon and were supplied with bottled water by Northumbrian Water.

A spokesman for the company said the majority of properties had their supply back by 10.30am and the museum was restored by 12.30pm.

He said the problem was caused by a mains burst beneath the roundabout at Beamish but could not say if the weather was to blame.