The Red Cross stepped in to help after more than 150 businesses and homes in Gillingham hit lost their power.

The blackout on Monday and Tuesday affected properties in the Gillingham Road and Livingstone Circus area of the town.

Electricity supplies were initially lost

on Monday morning. Some homes were restored during the afternoon but the supply had to be stopped again to avoid overnight repairs.

Supplies were restored by 11.45pm on Tuesday night.

A spokesman for EDF Energy, said: “We apologise to customers in the Gillingham Road area of Gillingham for a lengthy interruption to their electricity supply.

“A complex fault on our underground electricity network interrupted supplies to 159 customers at 10.09am on Monday.

“Engineers attended, but the fault proved particularly difficult to pinpoint and considerable excavation and repair work was required.

"Power supplies were restored to all but 72 customers by 2.50am on Tuesday, but was stopped in the early hours of the morning due to the impact of the noise on the area.

Work continued on Tuesday when supplies were restored to a further 60 customers at 1.55pm.

“A further nine were reconnected at 6.30pm and the final three customer supplies were restored at 11.45pm on Tuesday.

“The British Red Cross worked in the area on our behalf to help give practical support to customers without power.

“The volunteers give the latest information to residents on how work to restore power is progressing.

“Volunteers also visit vulnerable customers we are aware of and knock on doors to check whether customers need help, ranging from hot drinks and torches to a reassuring chat.

“We do understand how difficult this interruption was for our customers. Our customer relations team will be writing to those worst affected to apologise.”