THOUSANDS of homes in Warrington will have to do without water next Wednesday night when the mains are switched off.

United Utilities engineers are carrying out improvements to the water mains - but most customers will be unaware as they will be tucked-up in bed.

The homes affected are in Great Sankey, Westbrook, Old Hall, Callands, Sankey Bridges, Sankey Green, Woolston, Bruche, Rixton, Hollins Green, Birchwood, Fearnhead and Cinnamon Brow.

Teams will work on two sections of water mains at 10pm and aim to get the job finished in the early hours so everyone's water will be back on by 6am on Thursday.

The work means that water supplies to around 35,000 homes are likely to be affected between 10pm and 6am.

In the morning, there is a chance that customers may notice the water from their taps is slightly discoloured. If that is the case, people are advised to turn on their taps until the water runs clear.

All customers affected will receive a card before the end of the week.

Families are also being asked to play their part by not turning on their taps while the work is being carried out.

Norman Lidbury, network manager for United Utilities, said: "This will help us fill up the main faster when the repair is finished.

"Turning on the tap while there is no water in the main could also cause silt to clog up people's pipes."