A COMMUNITY has rallied around to help the vulnerable after being left without water for four days.

A huge chunk of Herefordshire saw their taps stop working on Sunday, with Welsh Water blaming freezing temperatures for bursting pipes.

Latest updates: Herefordshire homes left without water for fourth day

But communication from the not-for-profit company has been "really poor" during the "highly frustrating" situation, a Golden Valley shop owner said.

Christine Hope, who founded Hopes of Longtown in 2001, said that Welsh Water's claim of giving water out to affected homes and businesses wasn't right.

She wasn't aware of any water being given out around Longtown, a village on the Herefordshire border with Powys, between Hay-on-Wye and Abergavenny.

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But she said the Black Hill Communities Network, set up at the start of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, had sprung into action.

It had bought bottled water to hand out to the hundreds of homes affected by the supply problems.

Each person has been able to claim a free bottle of water per day since the supply dried up on Sunday.

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She said the community appreciated it was busy for Welsh Water, with problems stretching out across Mid Wales to the Ceredigion coast, but there was "really poor communication".

The latest update from Welsh Water suggests supplies are returning, with Dorstone now told the local reservoir is being filled up and then it will check for more leaks.

She said the community network would continue to provide help for anyone who needs it over the Christmas and New Year period.

Anyone in the area who needs help can find out more by visiting blackhillcommunities.net.

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