A PRIMARY school near York had to close today - just as children were looking forward to a teddy bear's picnic and sports day. - after 800 properties lost their water supplied because of a burst main.

Yorkshire Water said water supplies were affected in Sutton on the Forest, Stillington and Huby after a pipe burst in a remote area near Stillington this morning. A spokesman said the burst was difficult to trace but supplies were restored to all but one property by late afternoon.

Sutton on the Forest school head Joyce Botham said its teddy bear's picnic and sports day was postponed and was now set to take place on July 17. "We had a few tears," she said, adding that she understood Stillington Primary School had also had to shut.

She said supplies were restored by mid-afternoon and her school would be re-opening tomorrow.