Residents in a part of Ashford woke up to more than just dark skies when a power cut caused blackouts across the area.

Towers School on Faversham Road, Kennington, was plunged into darkness as many pupils turned round and went back home.

Headteacher Malcolm Ramsey said the school would reopen once power had been returned.

He said: “We’re currently closed as there is no power at all. We’ve got no phones, no heating and no light. According to EDF it’s the result of a broken cable in the road.

"We’re waiting for a generator to come that will be on the school site and that will be used to put electricity into the whole of this area. The time scale isn’t clear so it’s really as and when as regards to the school reopening.”

Staff remained on the site looking after those pupils who had to remain on the school’s premises.

Rush hour traffic also faced the consequences of a power outage when three sets of traffic lights went down including those on the busy Faversham Road/ Trinity Road junction.

The lights were eventually turned back on shortly before 9.30am.