RESIDENTS in Priory Road, Malvern, woke on Saturday to find they had no water after vandals damaged pipes exposed during maintenance work.

When Balfour Beattie contractors left the site outside The Splash the previous evening, they secured it with barriers to prevent accidents.

But the next morning, residents found their supply cut off and water pouring down nearby Clarence Road.

It is believed vandals threw a piece of curb into the hole, damaging a valve and disrupting water pressure.

Severn Trent Water spokesman Ben Smallman said there had been on-going problems during maintenance work in Malvern.

"We believe youngsters have been pushing down barriers around work areas. These are there to alert people and if removed can present a danger, especially to pedestrians."

Basil Dewing, of Priory Road, praised Severn Trent Water for the speed with which they sorted out the problem.

"They were superb," he said. "They explained what had happened and our water was restored by lunchtime on Saturday.

"It didn't just affect residents, but the workers as well. I'm sure they wanted to enjoy the weekend, but instead had to come back and repair the damage."