SOUTHERN Water is urging people in Hampshire to take simple steps this winter to avoid burst pipes.

The company warns that when frozen pipes burst, hundreds of litres of water can cascade through ceilings, causing costly damage to furniture and buildings.

Water distribution manager Jon Crooke said: "Burst pipes cause so much damage and misery and repairs can be expensive.

"It is important that people take steps during the winter months to fight the frost and protect their water pipes.

"By following our simple advice we hope our customers will have a happy, frost-free Christmas and New Year."

Southern Water's frost-busting tips include:

Repair any dripping taps in your home immediately.

Make sure all taps in your home and garden are fully turned off.

Ensure cisterns and tanks are lagged.

Open the loft hatch to help heat circulate.

Insulate all roof pipework and lag outside pipes with insulating material available from most DIY stores.

While away, leave heating on low or drain down the system.

If a pipe bursts, turn off the stop tap and central heating boiler and call a plumber.