More than 1,000 homes and business in the Dengie were left without power intermittently over the Christmas period.

UK Power Networks said a network fault left 1,424 customers in the Althorne area without electricity from 11am on December 27 until between 1pm and 2pm.

Residents in Mayland were also left without power on the same day after a generator, put in place following earlier problems with the network on Christmas Eve, failed at about 10am.

UK Power Networks apologised and said about 50 customers had been affected by the problem, which was resolved by about 4.30pm.

Jayne Pitts, of Imperial Avenue, alleged the power cut on Christmas Eve lasted much longer - from 3.30am until about 2pm.

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