United Utilities has now set up a hotline for farmers affected by the water supply issues in the Eden area.

A United Utilities water main pipe at Selside near Kendal was damaged during Storm Ciara.

Teams have been battling adverse weather conditions including snow to repair the problem.

But many properties have been left with low water pressure or no water at all.

A dedicated team at the water company is helping farmers to make sure livestock have access to water supplies during the current incident. Already special arrangements have been made for 70 farmers, and any others who need support are urged to get in touch.

About 8,000 properties in the Eden Valley are seeing low water pressure or no water today as engineers continue to repair the pipe.

It is expected the pipe will be installed over the next 12 hours.

After the pipe is fully repaired it will take some time for water pressure to build up again in the system, due to the length of the pipe network. Customers will continue to see no water or poor pressure as the system recovers. It is possible that some customers may notice some discolouration naturally occurring pipe sediment could be disturbed.

NFU Appleby has pledged to help those affected.

In a post on Facebook, they said: "If you have no or little water there is now a dedicated number for United Utilities for farmers who need to water for livestock.

"I have just called this to check it is the correct number and they confirmed that there is help available."

The telephone number for farmers who need help is 0345 072 6071.

A number of bottled water stations have been set up to help those affected by the problem.

The bottled water stations are at:

Glenridding Village Hall, Penrith, CA11 OQA

The Crown Inn, Ivegill, CA4 0PT

Shap Memorial Hall, Shap, Penrith CA10 3NL

Market Square, Kirkby Stephen, CA17 4QN

Moot Hall, Boroughgate, Appleby-in-Westmorland, CA16 6XE

Pooley Bridge Village Hall, Pooley Bridge, Penrith, CA10 2NL

Greystoke Village Greystoke, Penrith, CA11 0TP

Tebay Services (Northbound), Westmorland Place, Orton, CA10 3SB

For customers with particular needs on the priority services list, United Utilities have been delivering bottled water throughout the night and will continue to deliver this throughout the day.

If anyone needs help from the team they are available on 0345 672 3723.