BOTTLED water was being snapped up from Blaenau Gwent stores yesterday after Dwr Cymru continued advising residents to boil their water.

The company announced yesterday that flood water may have contaminated a service reservoir of treated water.

Thirteen thousands homes were advised to boil water before drinking it or using it for cooking and food preparation, as a precaution.

Dwr Cymru was supplying bottled water to people on its special needs register - but others were also taking no chances. Several stores said they had completely sold out of bottled water.

Somerfield in Brynmawr said all their water had sold swiftly, while Kwik Save in Ebbw Vale said they had sold out. John Lamont, manager of the Co-op in Blaina, said they had sold triple the normal amount.

Customer Lynn Hapgood, of Tanglewood, Blaina, said she was buying bottles for her elderly parents. "They need water to take their tablets. I am not taking any risks," she said.

Victoria Seymour, of Bournville Road, Blaina, who was shopping with her nine-month-old baby Bethany, decided to buy water when she heard about the problems. "We boil the water for the baby anyway."

The areas affected were Nantyglo, Blaina, Brynmawr, Clydach Valley, Ebbw Vale, Maesygwartha and Beaufort.

A spokesman for Dwr Cymru Welsh Water said the company was still experiencing operational difficulties in its water distribution network in the Ebbw Vale area and advised customers there was a risk the quality of their water supply may fall below its normal standards.

"We are advising people of the situation," he said.

The company apologised and said every possible action to minimise the disruption.

Call Dwr Cymru Welsh Water's freephone helpline on 0800 052 0130 for information.