350 Edinburgh houses still without gas supply

HUNDREDS of homes in the west of the city are facing their fourth full day without gas supplies after a burst water main led to emergency repairs.

Scotia Gas Networks last night said around 400 properties had been reconnected, leaving around 350 homes still without gas.

The utility firm said it had pumped more than 15,000 litres of water out of gas pipes after a water main burst on Monday night.

A spokeswoman for the company said: "One of the challenges was the sheer amount of water, with around 15,500 litres pumped out already. We've drafted in a lot of extra staff and we're hopeful of having everyone reconnected on Friday."

The gas company was forced to set up an emergency drop-in centre handing out portable electrical appliances earlier this week.

Scottish Water said an investigation was under way to establish the cause of the leak.

It said it was unclear whether the leak was related to changes in water pressure at the nearby Gyle shopping centre.

The problem caused the centre to be evacuated twice on Monday.