Springtime in summer (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Springtime in summer

The burst water main near PurtonA MOTORIST could not believe his eyes when he drove past what he thought was Wiltshire's first geyser.

Mick Connell was passing the Purton and Minety crossroads when he spotted this dramatic sight.

Water had shot more than 60ft in the air in such a dramatic style that it was enough to rival the best the USA's Yellowstone Park, Iceland or New Zealand have to offer.

Mr Connell stopped to take pictures of the spectacle on Saturday evening

The eruption, which could be seen from a quarter of a mile away, was the result of a burst water pipe.

Mr Connell, 55, of Purton, saw the leak while driving along the B4696 just past the crossroads at about 6pm.

He said: "I was just driving along the road on my way to Wootton Bassett.

"You could see it from about a quarter of a mile away."

He has recently been to see the geysers in New Zealand and compared the burst water pipe to them.

"It was quite spectacular. I would say it was better than the ones in New Zealand," he said.

Mr Connell had to drive through the water, which was raining down on to the road, before calling Thames Water to report it.

He said: "I could hardly see a thing. It was just like driving through very heavy rain."

The cause of the leak is not yet known.

A spokeswoman for Thames Water said: "I can confirm that it was a burst water main, and that the cause is still being investigated.

"The water supply to the mains was shut off as soon as we were told and repairs were carried out on Sunday morning.

"No homes were affected in the incident."

The company was unable to say how much water had been lost in the incident.

In the past Thames Water has been criticised by the Environment Agency for wasting too much water in leakages.

Last month the company warned that unless it rains enough the Swindon area could be heading for its first hosepipe ban in 15 years.

Stephanie Tye