Warning over burst pipes and flooding

Rory Reynolds in the Scotsman: Homes in the Lothians are being warned to prepare for flooding as the big thaw leads to burst pipes misery and hundreds of emergency call-outs to plumbers. Plumbing firms in the Capital have warned residents to be ready to shut off their own water if pipes burst as they may have to wait hours before an engineer can reach them.

As the snow and ice continues to melt the Scottish Envionmental Protection Agency said it was monitoring rivers and lochs, including the Water of Leith and the River Almond for potential flashpoints. Forecasters predict a thaw throughout the week.

Plumbers in the Capital said they had received hundreds of calls from residents. Garry Gilmour, 26, one of six heating and plumbing engineers at the city's C&C Services, said he would usually take three or four calls per day over Christmas, but has taken up to 160 each day. He said: "We've had pipes in lofts just bursting and coming through, and a lot of outdoor taps have been going, causing a skating rink effect in back gardens….”

A burst main on 129th Street, city unknown, between 1910 and 1915. It's not Scotland, it's not winter, and it's not even this century