Storm-hit homes in power cut

Villagers left struggling with no power for more than 30 hours after storms have called for a better way to contact electricity companies in an emergency.

People living in Wilson Road, Hartlebury, near Kidderminster, were fuming after being unable to report problems with their power lines.

Many were left without electricity for 33 hours after a tree was uprooted causing severe damage to overhead cables.

Residents made the best of the situation but their spirit turned to frustration after numerous attempts to report the situation to Central Networks came to a dead end.They are now leading calls for the firm to set up more phone lines in situations where switchboards are likely to be jammed with calls.

Parish councillor Tony Bishop said he only had power restored after 33 hours.

"In situations like this you know the phones lines to Central Networks will be busy because it was dealing with so many problems at once," he said.

Central Networks spokesman Jim Lightfoot said: "Our engineers faced a massive job and did everything they could to get everyone back on as quickly as possible."