THE PEOPLE of Wroughton could be forgiven for thinking a new water feature had been installed in the High Street.

A fountain of water shot more than 50 feet when workers connecting new properties to the mains encountered problems.

A team of contractors were working on the road outside the Linden Homes building site when the incident occurred.

What should have been a straightforward task went wrong when a faulty device was fitted. Instead of water flowing to the new properties, it gushed skyward.

"It was quite an impressive display water just went everywhere," said Sharon Gould, 30, an estate agent at Richard James.

"There are so many road works going on along here already that this just added to the mayhem. The traffic was awful, especially as it ran into rush hour."

Fortunately, a Thames Water supervisor was in the area and attended the scene within minutes.

Liz Almond, press officer at Thames Water, said: "One of our supervisors was able to turn off the water supply and remedy the problem.

"It was not a burst water main. The problem occurred because of a faulty device which was fitted to the mains supply."

Paul Budding, site manager at Linden Homes, said: "I saw it all. I really wish I'd had my camera with me, it would have made a nice shot."

Bob Rose, director of RWR Building Services, had front row seats. His company's office is located directly opposite the scene.

"It provided entertainment for us for a while," said 47-year-old Bob.

"I managed to get my digital camera out and took some really good photos.

"It brightened up what would have been an otherwise dull day."

Wroughton residents' water supply was not affected by the incident because the pipe only serves the new homes, which are due to be occupied from Friday.