Thousands of people across the South East are still without water and schools have been forced to close after water shortages stretched into a fifth day.

Some areas of Kent and Sussex were left cut off or with very low water pressure since Sunday, forcing schools and businesses to shut.

A burst pipe, lack of rain and soaring temperatures have been blamed for the shortages as households across the region were warned to reduce the amount of water they use.

Tunbridge Wells, plus the villages of Biddenden and Staplehurst in Kent have all been hit, along with Rotherfield, Mayfield, Crowborough, and Wadhurst across the border in East Sussex.

Households in Tunbridge Wells were left without water from the early hours of yesterday (Wed) morning after a mains pipe burst.

Others in the Wadhurst area reported their going off on Monday.

Schools were forced to close and residents were bulk buying bottled water from supermarket shelves.

South East Water apologised to customers and said the situation overnight was "stable", saying water should only be used for essential reasons such as drinking, cooking and hygiene."

South East Water said on its website this afternoon: "We're sorry to our customers that have water supply issues. "

"We're continuing to try and build up our treated water levels, so it's important to use water for essential purposes only."

Yesterday the utility firm said water was expected to be restored today, but the shortage continued as many are still reporting a lack of pressure despite the two-meter repair to the pipe being fixed.

Marianne Amos was without water for 11 days over Christmas and the problem has struck yet again.

She said: "I am actually livid we are still having water problems in this area when South East Water has had six months to fix the problem."

"They know this is an ongoing issue. Communication has been very poor, my road has signed up for the text alerts but people receive them at different times and we don’t know if it is a new issue or an ongoing one."

"I got a message this morning saying we had three water leaks, why it came this morning I don’t know, so I assume it was a new one."

Nadine Cowell, another Tunbridge Wells resident without water, added: "I’m so frustrated and it has had such an impact on the whole family and this morning had been very stressful indeed."

"It’s just really frustrating knowing you can’t get on with your everyday life."

"My 10-year-old daughter has hayfever and she woke up this morning with her eyes all clogged up and she just wanted to wash her face but we just had no means to."

Yesterday South East Water released a poster asking people to use water more wisely, but it has been hit with criticism on Twitter from customers.

Laura Gibson wrote: "Our children are off school today because of a burst water main. That has nothing to do with consumption, careful as we are anyway."

"Given this problem was also in December too in this area, it’s a shame seven months have passed without reinforcing infrastructure. Shame on you."

Lizzie Norman added: "No one in our village can turn on their taps or flush the toilet so I can safely say we are not the problem here."

"Stop blaming your customers, the people who put money in your pockets, for your own failures. You’re a disgrace."

Marianne agreed with those voicing their concerns, saying: "I think they’re blaming the consumers for this issue."

"Children are at school during the week so shortage from Monday to Thursday shouldn’t be a paddling pool issue."

"I think if they’re charging to supply us with water we should be getting it through."

The low pressure is due to issues combined with high demand and lack of supply brought on from the recent heatwave, the water company said.

A spokesman for the firm said: "We're sorry to customers in the Biddenden and Staplehurst areas who are experiencing no water or low water pressure."

"The demand for water is currently higher than the amount we can treat and supply. "

"We're asking our customers to use water for essential use only while we build up our storage reserves."

The company recorded a 15 per cent increase on demand across its system from what it should be at this time in the year – equalling up to 14 Olympic size swimming pools.

It added: "Although our reservoirs and groundwater sources are currently in a good position, if demand continues to stay at these extremely high levels and the dry weather continues, this will impact our ability to keep up with demand by treating water fast enough. It can also put added strain on pipes."

"That is why we are asking our customers to help us make sure there is enough water to go round in the weeks and months to come by using water wisely."

Claremont primary in Banner Farm Rd, and St James’ Primary in Sandrock Road, were forced to close but have confirmed today they have reopened with water returning.

Bottle stations were set up around the area and some are still in use today.