More than 4,000 homes and businesses were left without power in the Black Country after an electrical fault.

Properties in Tipton, including town centre shops and other firms, were affected yesterday.

Hairdressers, chippies, and even Tipton Library were all forced to close following the power cut at around 12.25pm.

Central Networks spokesman Jonathan Smith reckons 4,100 customers were affected. Power was restored to around 3,500 within an hour. The cause is being investigated.

Roads affected included New Cross Street, Birmingham New Road, Victoria Road and Baker Street.

Gladys Rich, library assistant at Tipton Library in nearby Unity Walk, said: “We had to close for about an hour and a half.”

Ako Mustafa, manager of Victoria Chippy in Owen Street, had to throw away food following the cut.

Customers were also forced to dry their hair when the cut hit Gingers hairdressers in Union Street.