TWO Hampshire schools have been closed this morning due to a burst water main.

The leak sprung near Fair Oak Junior School in Botley Road, Fair Oak.

The 600 pupil junior school and its infant school are expected to be closed all day.

Part of the road at the scene, opposite the Lapstone pub at the junction with Knowle Lane, has been blocked as engineers work to fix the leak.

The disruption caused traffic delays this morning.

A Hampshire County Council spokeswoman said the schools had been closed for health and safety reasons as they had lost water supplies.

A Southern Water spokesman said: “We have a burst water main in Botley Road, Fair Oak.

“Unfortunately this main serves a school and we apologise to staff and parents for the inconvenience.

“Our engineers are on-site and fixing the burst as a matter of urgency.

“We expect the supply to be reconnected today, allowing the school to re-open tomorrow.”