WEST Craven was hit by a major power cut on Tuesday after workers cut through a mains cable.

Most of Barnoldswick, Earby and an area stretching as far as Broughton Hall lost electricity shortly before noon, setting off alarms and putting traffic lights out of action.

The supply was restored two hours later but cafés and sandwich shops had to turn away customers during the busy lunch period.

Shop tills were unusable and Barnoldswick Police Station was left without power.

A spokesman for CE Electricity confirmed that the incident was due to a third party damaging a cable.

The issue of power cuts in the area is due to be debated by councillors at a meeting of West Craven Committee on Tuesday, at Rolls-Royce Social Club.

The item was put forward by chairman Margaret Bell, who said she was concerned about the number of recent electricity supply failures.