A power cut has swept across the town of Sandwich today closing shops, pubs and other businesses.

UK Power Networks confirmed there was a fault on an overhead high voltage line at 11.28am today, resulting in an interruption to the electricity supply for 858 customers.

This meant the power has been off at many properties in the town centre including Sandwich Technology School - which was out of power for nearly four hours from 11am.

It is believed the school could not send pupils home early because of school buses and pupils were kept in the classrooms until 3.30pm.

Parents and pupils have commented on Facebook saying children had to be escorted to the toilet and had no lunch - sparking the opinion that children should have been sent home.

The Co-op, in Moat Sole, was without power from 1.30pm and has now re-opened. The Guildhall also had no power until 3.30pm today.

Town clerk Laura Fidler said: "Our power was off from about 2.10pm until 3.30pm but from people who were popping in it seemed like it was different in different places.

"It didn't affect us too much, we just did some long awaited filing."

Engineers restored power to 667 properties by 12.45pm and is currently working on the rest.

Steve Laslett, who runs The Sandwich Shop said: "We had a short power cut at home but The Sandwich Shop is down and I'm heading over there now."

Sara Ross, who was walking through the town earlier today added: "The whole town is shut down."

A spokesman for UK Power Networks said: "UK Power Networks engineers are working as quickly and as safely as possible to restore power to 191 customers who are still without electricity in the Dover Road and Stone Cross area of Sandwich.

"We understand how difficult it is to be without electricity and would like to apologise to those affected".