SHOP owners and councillors have called on United Utilities to act after two mains pipes split in 10 days, leaving thousands of homes without water.

Crewe and Nantwich borough councillor Gwyn Griffiths has now put pressure on the firm to step up efforts to replace century-old pipes.

He said: 'There seems to be a pattern of these incidents and they have an effect on a lot of people, including those trying to run a business.

'I want to know whether this is just an unfortunate coincidence.'

The most recent rupture, eight days ago on West Street, Crewe, left more than 3,000 residents cut off for several hours before supplies were rerouted.

Schools in the West End were shut and businesses lost thousands of pounds in trade, while closed roads and diversions caused long tailbacks.

Just days before, a 24in pipe burst in Haslington, leaving residents running their taps to clear streams of brown and muddied water.

Leighton Hospital was forced to take emergency steps this year when a similar split left the wards without water.

Cllr Griffiths said: 'I am asking if enough is being done or should they be directing more expenditure to this area.'

He added: 'I am sure there are pipes in Crewe that are the original cast-iron pipes laid from the 1880s onwards.

'Nowadays, each household has a washing machine, a dishwasher and so on, drawing in much more water.'

A spokesman for United Utilities said: 'It could be an old pipe or a joint that has given way, or even damage caused to the pipe through drilling.

'We are spending £3.5billion upgrading the water system in the area between 2000 and 2005, and plan to spend up to £3.8billion between 2005 and 2010.'