A SPECTACULAR jet of water shot into the air as engineers went searching for the source of a leak.

The 50ft fountain was released as work was taking place on Villa Real Road, in Consett, County Durham today (Monday, July 13) to find the source of a leak affecting nearby homes.

Just before 1pm, workers cut through a section of concrete encasing the pipe and sent the plume of water briefly gushing into the air, just behind the site of the new Consett Academy school.

The road remained open throughout the incident, with drivers able to navigate their way round the impromptu fountain.

A spokesperson for Northumbria Water said: “We were aware of a leak in that area and had traced it to a length of pipe which was surrounded by concrete.

“When the engineers have gone through the concrete, the pressure made a jet of water shoot up into the air.

“Around 40 properties were affected by the leak, but engineers are carrying out the repair now and all water should be restored within the hour.”