A WATER main has burst in a Loughton street yet again - but luckily this time no homes were flooded.

The trunk water main in Staples Road, along the edge of Epping Forest, burst yesterday evening.

Independent county councillor Chris Pond, who lives nearby, said it is the NINTH time the mains have burst in recent years.

Cllr Pond said: "Why this unresponsive and remote private company, Thames Water Utilities, cannot get their act together and replace this main I cannot understand.

"It must cost them thousands every time it blows."

In September last year Staples Road Infants and Junior Schools were both forced to close as water poured into both school playgrounds.

And in March 2007 a number of homes were flooded after water gushed into the street for six hours.