TWO award-winning hotels are counting the cost of an incident that left part of a Hampshire village without gas all day.

They are among more than 60 properties that lost their heating and cooking facilities after a water pipe burst in Brockenhurst, flooding a gas main and disrupting supplies.

The incident, expected to trigger a spate of compensation claims, has cost the Careys Manor and Balmer Lawn hotels thousands in lost trade.

Brockenhurst College was also affected, with students sent home for the day.

In a message posted on social media the college said: “Owing to a gas supply issue beyond our control, leaving us without heating, hot water or cooking facilities, the college is now closed for the remainder of the day.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused but for the wellbeing of our students feel it’s our duty to close until this issue is resolved.”

The college said it hoped to re-open today but urged students to check social media before setting off from home.

At neighbouring Careys Manor several guests left early after originally checking in for a three or four-night stay.

A spokesman said: “We’ve been hugely affected, with no gas for heating or cooking, and have closed all three restaurants as well as giving out refunds.

“It’s money we can’t afford to lose.”

Michael Clitheroe, general manager at the Balmer Lawn, added: “Good air conditioning on the ground floor means the communal area remains warm and we’ve also got an open fire.

“Our guests have been absolutely fantastic and very understanding, but we’ve had some cancellations and other people have left early.

“Our aim is to minimise any customer disruption, which we have done very effectively.

“We will evaluate the level of disruption after we are back fully operational and will assess levels of compensation owed.”

SGN, formerly known as Southern Gas Networks, confirmed that a total of 66 properties in the village lost their supply on Monday evening.

A spokesman said: “We have removed roughly 9,000 litres of water and work is continuing to clear the remaining pockets.

“But due to the complex nature of the emergency we are still unable to say how long it will take to reconnect properties.”