More than 800 households and businesses in Chatham suffered a power blackout yesterday afternoon.

People living in the Blue Bell Hill area lost their electricity supply at about 4.25pm after a fault in an overhead network.

It also hit traffic lights at the Lord Lees and Bridgewood roundabouts causing chaos for motorists.

The fault caused drama at the nearby Asda store with firefighters called to rescue a member of staff trapped inside a lift.

Most supplies were restored by 6pm, although 55 EDF customers remained off the grid until past 10pm.