On Sunday, engineers were working street by street to restore supplies, after water contractors accidentally turned off a valve on Friday.

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

By Sunday afternoon the company, which has given priority to the vulnerable and elderly, had managed to get about a quarter of those affected back on line.

Transco estimates the majority of those without gas should have their gas supplies restored by teatime on Sunday.

Spokeswoman Stephanie van Rosser said the company will be looking into how the problem arose: "Obviously our priority at the moment is to get everybody back on gas, but there will be a full investigation as to why this actually did happen and to try and make sure it never happens again."