PROPERTIES been left without water and a court building has been forced to close due to leak.

The problem was first reported to United Utilities at 8.40am this morning.

United Utilities said that people may have noticed water coming out of the tap slower than usual or may have gone off altogether.

Properties in Bolton town centre  left without water including Bolton Crown Court.

Properties in the BL1 and BL3 postcode are affected.

In an update at 11.35am, United Utilities said that a leak on Ashburner Street had been spotted and reported to them.

An inspector attended and found this to be the cause for some people not having water.

A team of engineers has now arrived at the site and repairs will commence as soon as it is safe to do so.

United Utilities has apologised for any inconvenience that the leak has caused. 

Cases at Bolton Crown Court had to be cancelled this afternoon and juries were sent home for hygiene reasons and proceedings in case will resume tomorrow.

Juries were sent home at lunchtime and much of the building evacuated and closed completely at 3pm.