Power cuts were experienced by 59 properties in Deal today after a cable was damaged at St Andrew's Church.

At 8.50am, 52 residents in the West Street area lost their power after a "third party" cut the line.

A UK Power Networks spokesman said: "Engineers restored supplies to those 52 at 1.27pm by reconfiguring the distribution network.

"In order to carry out repairs as quickly and as safely as possible, supplies had to be isolated to a further seven customers. They had power again, once repairs were completed, at 3.07pm."

Richard Lawless, owner of RAM Computer Services in Western Road, said he noticed the problem at about 10am and was then told by a customer that other properties in West Street were also affected.

He said: "I contacted UK Power Networks who first said there was nothing wrong and that it had to be a problem in my premises."

The firm later contacted him saying that repairs were underway at 12.30.