WHEELCHAIR user Arthur Green, aged 84, was among hundreds of people in Herefordshire still without power days after the storms had subsided.

Mr Green, of Ledbury, said he had never experienced such a power cut, even during the war. His electric wheelchair could not be charged, leaving him helpless. He was reliant on candles for light, a paraffin heater for warmth and relays of carers to bring him meals.

Mr Green's power went off at 8am on Sunday and was not restored until 2.30am yesterday (Thursday).

Speaking on Wednesday, he said: "It's cold in here. The powered wheelchair needs charging every night, so I cannot move. Sitting in a wheelchair in one spot is my life now.

"As soon as it's dark I have to rely on candles. Now I've come to the end of them. I didn't think it would last this long."

Yesterday (Thursday), electricity network provider Aquila said there still 315 customers in Herefordshire without power, including some in Bredenbury near Bromyard.