MORE than 150 residents were evacuated from their homes and forced to spend the night in emergency accommodation, after a gas pipe was severed.

Contractors working on sewers in the Milton Road area of Boscombe Down cut through an essential gas main, causing a huge leak, just after 2pm last Thursday.

Emergency services who rushed to the scene quickly evacuated neighbouring streets, taking people to the family activity centre opposite QinetiQ's Boscombe Down site.

When gas engineers realised the extent of the leak, residents were told they would not be allowed home that night.

Wiltshire county council's emergency services committee arranged for residents to be moved by taxi to Amesbury sports centre, where volunteers from St John Ambulance, Women's Royal Voluntary Service and the Salvation Army were waiting with blankets, drinks and food.

"There were folk of all ages," said Tony Foster who runs the Salvation Army's Red Shield Club, at Tidworth Garrison.

"Babes in arms, the elderly, with cats, dogs and all sorts of pets - we were there until after midnight.

"It was the first time we have supported an emergency at home."

RAF medics provided essential medicines for evacuees with drugs inside their homes and arranged for emergency supplies to be delivered from Salisbury Hospital. Police and Transco staff also tried to avert disasters for residents, including Peter and Denise Steele, who were packing for their holiday in Scotland when the drama started. Staff wearing breathing apparatus checked their house was safe and escorted the couple as they retrieved their cases.

Stephanie Adams' husband was leaving to watch the German Grand Prix on Friday morning and found his tickets were trapped in their Cadnam Crescent home.

"We have been out all day and came back to this," said Mrs Adams.

"It's such an inconvenient time for it to happen - we really need to get back to the house."

Other residents, including Lillian Brown, were concerned about their pets.

"My dog Josh has been inside all day - he'll be going frantic without me," she said.

"I need to get him out but can't get anywhere near my home."

The residents were keen to thank the emergency response teams, who set up beds and brought pillows and blankets to the sports centre.

"You can't fault the emergency services tonight - they have been brilliant," said Tom Yeo, of Cadnam Crescent.

"Everyone rallied round and did their best to ensure residents were looked after.