An explosion underneath a manhole cover forced emergency crews to cordon off an area of Whitstable this afternoon.

Police and firefighters were called to Cliff Road at 1pm following reports of a bang in the area - and smoke billowing from a manhole cover.

The blast was caused by an electrical problem and is thought to have left more than 100 homes without power.

Richard Judge, watch manager at Whitstable fire station, said: "We were called to reports of smoke coming out of a manhole. We found the cover had been blown off and damaged.

"It appeared a cable had shorted out inside the manhole. We cordoned off the area until the police arrived, and UK Power Networks took over."

Officers closed Cliff Road, Tower Hill and Tower Parade for more than an hour while engineers from UK Power Networks worked to solve the problem.

No one was hurt in the blast and police reopened the road at 2.20pm, but engineers continued to deal with the aftermath.

UK Power Networks spokesman Niamh Arnett said: "At 1pm today we received a call from the fire service after a fault on a piece of equipment on our underground electricity network in Cliff Road.

"UK Power Networks engineers attended and needed to switch off some power supplies in the area between 2.50pm and 3.08pm to investigate and start repairs.

"We understand how difficult it is being without electricity and would like to apologise to customers for the inconvenience caused.

"Work is underway to reconnect power supplies as quickly and as safely as possible."