THE mains gas supply to five Herefordshire villages has been cut leaving people to turn to their local pub and waiting for hot meals.

Hundreds of homes around Hampton Bishop, near Hereford, are set to be without gas tonight (Wendesday) ­– the second night in a row.

Nearby Holme Lacy, Priors Frome, Mordiford and Fownhope are also affected.

In its latest update, Cadent says it has started to restore gas supplies – but as this means visiting each of the affected homes, it’s likely most will be without gas for a second night.

Arrangements are being made to provide hot meals, for free – both lunchtime and evening meals – for those without gas.

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People will see at least one mobile food unit stationed at Hampton Bishop Village Hall within the next couple of hours and Cadent hopes to station a second food unit in the area too, also today.

Stacey Rossouw and Henri Kriel live in Hampton Bishops and said the biggest issue for them has been not being able to cook on their gas stove.

“It would be nice to have a hot meal.”

But they said Cadent customer service has been brilliant and the food truck is a nice touch.

“The community in Hampton Bishop has come together and we have a WhatsApp group where someone from Cadent is telling us information,” said Ms Rossouw.

Brian Bowgen, of Mordiford, said he and his wife found having a bath was still possible and water consumption was cut which is a good thing.

But have had to use the kitchen sink one at a time.

The initial incident office was at the Bunch of Carrots, in Hampton Bishop.

“This was a touch of genius, never had a better excuse to get down the pub for a few,” he said.

“All in in its not too bad.”

But the office has now moved to Hampton Bishop Village Hall.

They will be going to his mother-in-law’s for a shower and fish and chips tonight.

A Cadent customer service staff member working at the village hall said all people from the villages she had spoken to were really friendly and had been helpful through this process.

Staff will be at the village hall until 8.30pm and back again tomorrow to help people affected with any problems or questions they may have.