Hundreds are hit as power lost

Almost 900 homes and businesses were left without electricity this morning following a major power cut.

Engineers were called out at 5.45am when power to 890 customers in Great Barr and Perry Barr went down. Power was partially restored by 7.40am and all customers were believed to be back on by 9am.

Scott Somerville, spokesman from Central Networks, said: "Our priority is always to get the electricity back up as quickly as possible."

The Alexandra Stadium in Perry Barr lost power in the early hours.

The lights went out at around 6am but power was restored by the time staff came into work at 7am.

Workers said today they had to relight the boilers at the stadium in Walsall Road but it was now business as usual.