THE National Grid still has no idea how long it will be before gas is returned to East Barnet Village.

Gas engineers are pumping out water as fast as they can from the gas pipes in the area.

Head of operations for National Grid, Dave Luetchford, said engineers were not sure how much water had escaped into the system.

The company has sent 16 workers to the area and drafted in a further ten from across the Midlands and East Anglia.

He said: "It's very difficult to ascertain the quantity in there. We're keeping pumping and we're still in the same situation.

“I'm still aiming to get everyone back in before Christmas, we're doing our upmost to do that.

“But I just can't make a promise at the moment.”

The number of householders in the area who are now without gas is around 1,000.

Supply was cut off yesterday after a water main burst in York Road and water leaked into the gas pipes.

Mr Luetchford added that another major incident in Luton had put a strain on resources.

An incident room has been set up at St Mary's School in West Grove.

The National Grid, Barnet Council, the police and the Red Cross all have representatives at the school. Have you had problems with your power supply? Contact reporter Sarah Cosgrove on 07795505961 or email scosgrove@london.newsquest.co.uk.