THOUSANDS of homes were left without electricity this morning as a result of a fault at Tunnel Hill sub station in Worcester.

Around 2,774 homes in Tunnel Hill and Ronkswood were left without light and power.

The power cut struck at 7.14am said spokeswoman for Central Networks, Rebecca Middleton.

However, not all premises were affected and shops in Lichfield Avenue in Ronkswood escaped the blackout, said Steve Goode, manager of the post office.

"We don't know exactly what caused the power outage, but it was a fault in the sub station.

"Our engineers will carry out a full investigation to find the cause of the problem," added the Central Networks spokeswoman.

Technicians began working on the problem as soon as notified, she added, and by 9.30am there was only around 500 homes still without power, with all homes expected to be reconnected by lunchtime today.

Spokesman for the Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, Alec Mackie said the fire fighters had attended a number of Automatic Fire Alarms at commercial premises this morning and many of these might have been triggered by the power failure.

"The alarm at the Sainsbury supermarket in Cathedral Plaza on the High Street went off and a fire engine attended," he added.