Power cut hits Walsall homes

Around 3,500 homes were left without power today following a suspected fault in an electricity cable.

People living in the Walsall area were without lights or heating for almost two hours after the power went off at 5.37am. The problem centred on Ryders Hayes estate and Pelsall village.

Western Power Distribution, which investigates power failures, said there was a fault on the firm's 11,000-volt network in the Cannock area.

Company spokesman Andy Roberts said emergency engineers were examining underground cabling.

Power was restored by 7.20am. Among the roads affected were Lothians Road, St Paul's Crescent, Armside Close, Canterbury Close, Shortland Lane and Silver Place.