A WORCESTERSHIRE MP has demanded electricity company Aquila Networks compensate those who have lost their freezer contents as a result of last weekend's storms.

Sir Michael Spicer, MP for West Worcestershire, has written to Don Bacon, chief executive of Aquila, asking that those who have thrown food out because their electricity has been off for so long, be reimbursed.

He issued the demand after the company absolved itself of responsibility for the loss of foodstuffs.

"As a result of four or five days without power a lot of food has gone bad and had to be thrown out," said Sir Michael.

"I would have thought that Aquila would have cover to compensate these people."

In a statement, Aquila said its normal obligation to compensate customers "does not apply in exceptional circumstances, such as the very destructive windstorm that swept the country".

Sir Michael, who lost power to his Cropthorne home as a result of winds of almost 90mph, added that, although the majority of homes in his constituency now had power, he believed there were still a handful in Eckington, Hanley Swan and Malvern which were still off.

Blackout

At its height, the blackout affected an estimated 45,000 homes across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Aquila has brought in engineers from outside the area, including teams from Southern Electric, to reinstate power.

Meanwhile, in other parts of the county, there is still anger over Aquila's handling of the crisis.

Colin Mann, of Thorn Grove Mews, Sinton Green, is still without electricity, despite having a pylon only yards from his home.

He has been in the dark since around 6.30am on Sunday morning, and despite numerous attempts to contact Aquila, has had no response.

"There are still a handful of homes here without electricity," he said.

"I must have tried getting through to Aquila's emergency line 45 to 50 times and despite leaving the phone ringing for 10 to 15 minutes, haven't been able to get through to anyone.

"We've had no contact with them. It just seems they can't be bothered with us tiresome customers. It's very poor."

Power has now been restored to the home of single mum-of-two Katie Parkes from Huddington, who we featured in yesterday's Evening News and also to Julie Haynes, of Croome, who had been without electricity since Saturday night.

Sally Wesley, from Sinton Green, however, is still without power.