Hundreds of children missed their last day of term today after a water main burst, cutting supplies to more than 200 homes.

Heyworth Primary School in Haywards Heath was sending pupils home after the pipe running under Hazelgrove Road ruptured for the second time in less than a week.

When parents arrived at the school this morning they were told they would have to return in an hour to collect their children.

A spokeswoman said the school was holding its final assembly at about 9am and then sending the children home an hour later.

She said: "We think the children can last that long without going to the loo."

Nearby St Joseph's Catholic Primary School's term ended yesterday.

It was the second time the nine-inch water main pipe has burst in five days.

Both schools had to close on Friday when there was a similar emergency.

A spokesman for South East Water said that mobile water tanks and bottled water would be available.

He said: "The burst is in the same pipe as on Friday. But it is not in the same spot. We apologise to our customers for any inconvenience."

The pipe split also affected ten homes in Lindfield.

In Forest Row, children also missed their last day of term due to water problems.

About 223 children were turned away at the school gates of Forest Row Church of England Primary School after the building was left without water.

A spokeswoman said the school had been experiencing intermittent problems for about a month and had reported these to South East Water.

She said villagers had also complained of cloudy water.

She said teachers and pupils were disappointed as special assemblies and presentations had been planned for the day.