Local residents advised to boil water

United Utilities are advising customers in some of our area to boil their water for all drinking, food preparation and brushing teeth as a precaution until further notice.

People can continue to use tap water without boiling for general domestic purposes such as bathing, flushing toilets or washing clothes

Routine tests at Franklaw water treatment works in Preston detected traces of cryptosporidium and although the traces are low the company is advising customers to boil their water as a precaution.

Martin Padley, Chief Scientific Officer at United Utilities, said: "The advice is being given purely as a precautionary measure as we carry out additional tests today.

"We apologise for the inconvenience but the health of our customers is absolutely paramount."

Customers are asked to take extreme care when boiling water because of the danger of scalding. Simply bring water to the boil and let it cool.

United Utilities is monitoring water supplies and is hoping to be able to lift the boil water advice as soon as possible.

The local areas affected are

• BB1 2LD Roman Road
• BB2 5 Feniscowles
• BB3 2RN Darwen
• BB3 0BH Darwen/Lower Darwen
• BB3 0SD Lower Darwen