All but two homes have been reconnected after more than 30 were left without electricity for more than 12 hours today.

UK Power Networks was forced to send out a support vehicle to hand out free hot drinks, food and mobile phone charging points to families in Edenbridge Drive, Sheerness.

A spokesman for UK Power Networks said: “We would like to apologise to 33 customers who experienced power problems since about 3am today.

“Our engineers attended at 4.49am however at 7.20am residents again reported a loss of power. Crews were on site since 9.18am to excavate and fix an underground cable fault.

“We sent free supplies of hot drinks and meals and a phone charging facility to Edenbridge Drive this afternoon.”

She added: “We understand that power cuts can be particularly difficult for some people, and run a Priority Services Register to provide free additional help and advice during a power cut to pensioners, families with young children and people with special needs, disabilities or health conditions.

“We would encourage anyone eligible to sign up, at www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/priority, call 0800 169 9970, or email psr@ukpowernetworks.co.uk.”

Disabled pensioner Alan Forrow, 73, complained: “The power went off around 3am without any warning. It was chaos. Luckily we had gas so we had heating but our neighbours didn’t have any lights or heat."

The granddad, a former lorry driver, who lives with his wife Linda who also has trouble walking, added: “We were given no idea what the problem was. It was disgusting.”

All but two houses were reconnected by 3.50pm.