Villagers have been left without electricity for several hours after an overhead power line was damaged.

Whitebread Lane, in Newenden, near Tenterden, is shut in both directions while engineers from UK Power Networks look into and repair the fault.

There are unconfirmed reports the power line was damaged earlier this afternoon after being hit by a car.

An update posted on the energy company’s website said: “We are investigating an overhead electricity line that has been damaged in the local area.

“Engineers are now on site, carrying out investigations into the fault. Once they have completed their assessment, they will carry out repairs.

“We are sorry for any disruption this may have caused you. We did not know in advance there would be a power cut but now that we know, our teams will do everything they can to get your power back quickly.”

The outage was reported to UK Power Networks at around 1.20pm and it is understood around 40 residents have been affected.

The power is expected to be back on by 2am tomorrow (November 16).

There is also slow traffic in the area due to the fallen cables between between Hastings Road and Station Road.