Clean-up begins after flood

Water bosses and businesses were today counting the cost of a flood which caused an estimated £150,000 of damage around one of the Black Country's busiest commuter routes.

Torrents of water were sent gushing through Dudley Port and Great Bridge yesterday when a water mains pipe burst, leaving areas of road submerged.

A section of Horseley Road is expected to remain closed for up to three days while repair work continues and insurers have been on site assessing the extent of the damage.

The cause of the burst has still not been established. The landmark Port 'n' Ale pub was among the worst hit, suffering thousands of pounds of damage when the cellar was flooded with two and a half feet of water.

Landlord James Earl said they were hoping to be able to save most of the beer, with many of the kegs kept on rivets just above the water line.

But he said the freezer had been ruined.

South Staffs Water supply director Keith Marshall said they estimated the damage would cost between £100,000 and £150,000 and they would cover the cost of the repairs to the highway and to the site.