Power loss leaves 4,600 in dark

More than 4,600 properties around Hagley were plunged into darkness after an underground cable was damaged.

The majority of homes were left without power for an hour from 10pm on Saturday.

Traffic lights and street lamps in the village were also disrupted by the power cut with drivers having to take extra care when using the main Worcester Road.

Experts from power supplier Eon worked to restore the power.

Checks were carried out on cables yesterday and workers found one of them had been damaged by a shovel or other tool.

Not all properties in the village were affected with some at the far end, in the direction of Worcester, keeping their supply.

The cut also affected some homes in nearby Romsley.

Bosses from the supplier today said the power cut could have been avoided if the damage had been reported to them.

"Rather than the matter being reported to us by whoever caused the damage they filled in the hole around the cable and left it," said spokesman Jonathan Smith.

Motorist Penelope Moulder said she had been alarmed when driving though the darkened village on Saturday night.

"All the electricity was blacked out, including traffic lights," she said.