A power cut which is believed to have been caused by the torrential rain hit more than 3,500 homes and businesses in Sandwell.

Parts of the borough, including Rowley Regis, Wednesbury, Tipton and Oldbury, have all ground to a halt after being affected by a series of blackouts since last night.

Traders in Blackheath were today forced to abandon their shops, losing out on thousands of pounds of business on the busiest day of the week.

Almost 40 stalls at the market were without electricity, and some of the shops in the High Street could not open because the electric roller shutter doors were stuck shut.

Read the full story in today’s Express & Star.

A power cut which is believed to have been caused by the torrential rain hit more than 3,500 homes and businesses in Sandwell.

Parts of the borough, including Rowley Regis, Wednesbury, Tipton and Oldbury, have all ground to a halt after being affected by a series of blackouts since last night.

Traders in Blackheath were today forced to abandon their shops, losing out on thousands of pounds of business on the busiest day of the week.

Almost 40 stalls at the market were without electricity, and some of the shops in the High Street could not open because the electric roller shutter doors were stuck shut.

It is believed the torrential rain may be to blame for the fault, with water leaking into an underground cable and damaging a fuse.

There are more than 70 stalls at the indoor market and today a third were without power.

Around 10 shops on the town’s High Street were also plunged into darkness during a second blackout at 12.30pm today.

Manicure salon Nails4U lifted their shutter for the first time today at 12.30pm.

At the same time lights in Firkins bakery went off during the lunchtime rush.

The Klick photoshop had no power at all. Store manager Tessa Wright, said: “I came in a 8.30 this morning and there was nothing on. We’ve only had 14 customers today, where as usually we are packed.”

Andrew Barrow, spokes-man for electricity firm E.on, said 3,585 homes and businesses had been affected around Sandwell.

He said engineers were working to solve the problems, following another power cut on Thursday.

By Lucy Townsend