Engineers are working to restore supplies, after water contractors accidentally turned off a valve.

Homes in the Shavington, Wynbunbury and Hough areas have been affected.

Transco estimates that gas supplies may not be restored until Sunday, although it is hoped the problem will have been resolved by the end of Saturday.

Alternative facilities

"We hope some people will be back on their gas supplies by this evening", said spokeswoman for the firm, Stephanie van Rosser, on Saturday morning.

"Obviously, if they're not then there's going to be a process of working late into the night then starting again early in the morning."

She added: "If there's any vulnerable people out there, obviously the elderly, very young children, anyone where it's essential they have heating, we will try to provide them with alternative heating and cooking facilities."