A HIGH volume pumping trial that was launched in Worting Road yesterday has been stopped after a pipe transporting water into the River Loddon was damaged.

The Leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Councillor Clive Sanders made the announcement at a full council meeting on Thursday evening.

The borough council and police are looking to see if the pipe, which is aimed at easing groundwater at the West Ham electricity sub-station in Worting Road, was 'slashed'.

The pipe is thought to have been damaged at approximately 10.30pm yesterday evening on Grafton Way.

Police have now stepped up patrols in the area and fire crews from Basingstoke fire station are now assessing how the pipe can be repaired.

Cllr Sanders told the meeting: "Somebody has decided to slash the pipe and it has been turned off. Hopefully this will be a one-off."

Work on the trial pumping scheme started at 1pm, using high volume pumps which can move 7,000 litres of water per minute.