Gas engineers had to block off a section of Seafield Road in Southbourne for over four hours today after a BT engineer damaged a pipe, causing a leak.

Police closed the road and were advising members of the public who lived in the affected areas not to be concerned but to keep doors and windows closed.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said earlier: "Police were called to Seafield Road, Bournemouth at 1:20pm today following reports of a gas leak on a footpath near the residential road.

"Gas engineers have recently arrived at the scene and will be making emergency repairs.

"Police officers have put a cordon around the area and the road will be closed between its junctions with Newstead Road and Guidhall Road while repairs take place.

"The engineers have assessed that an evacuation is not necessary, however people in the area are advised to keep their doors and windows closed at this time. If further action is necessary, officers and engineers will advise people near the scene."

A spokesperson for SGN confirmed one of the gas mains was damaged by a "third party".

"We currently have a team on site and we will soon be starting our repairs.

"It has been necessary to put a road closure in place in Seafield Road between the junction with Guildhill Road and Newstead Road.

"We would like to thank road users for their patience while we carry out our essential works."

An engineer on site confirmed to the Echo that the pipe had been damaged by a BT engineer.

No supplies to houses were affected but police and fire services were both on the scene to help deal with the venting gas.

Pedestrians were being prevented from walking past the scene and residents near the leak were being advised to stay in their homes.

A spokesperson for Dorset Fire and Rescue said two crews - one from Redhill and another from Christchurch - had been called to the scene.

They were working with the gas board who were trying to cap the leak.

Their presence was as a precaution, the spokesperson added.

Police re-opened the road shortly before 5.30pm.