RESIDENTS were unexpectedly left without water on Wednesday evening when a mains switch-off affected more homes than planned.

A number of homes in Orford were left without power from 10pm until the next morning without notification from United Utilities.

The company's engineers were carrying out improvements to the water mains, and it says it informed 35,000 homes that users would be without water.

United Utilities says it is possible more homes than expected could have been affected.

But, some in areas where the water giant claims it warned customers, said they knew nothing about it.

One Cinnamon Brow resident said: "Why were customers not notified? It is a rubbish service. When I rang the company I was on hold for more than 10 minutes, no one seemed to be manning the phones!"

Another Orford resident added: "I read in the Guardian about which areas were going to be affected and mine was not one of them. So I was a little surprised when I tried to get a bath before going to bed and found the water was not on. If I had been told I could have prepared."

A spokesman for United Utilities apologised to any residents who had not been informed of the mains switch off but said the company had let as many homes as possible know about the issue via cards through the door and in the Guardian.

The spokesman added the switch off had been for essential maintenance work to be carried out and it was planned in the evening to minimise disruption.