NEARLY a thousand homes and businesses across the Blackdown Hills above Wellington were left without electricity on Thursday afternoon (July 2).

National Grid said there was a fault with the high voltage power lines in a triangular area between Hemyock, Churchinford, and West Buckland.

A spokesperson said: “We are getting this sorted as a priority.

“Our engineers are working to get electricity back on as quickly as possible.

“We are sorry for the disruption.”

The fault was reported at 1.10 pm with 915 properties initially being cut off.

However, within three minutes National Grid had restored power to 340 premises.

It said the remaining 575 properties off supply were expected to be reconnected by 3 pm.

However, the spokesperson warned it was a ‘best estimate’ based on what was known at the time and times might change if there were any unexpected challenges in reaching the fault.

They said 3 pm was the time when the last person in the area was expected to have their power back, and most people would be reconnected before then.

UPDATE: National Grid reported the last of the properties was reconnected quicker than expected at 1.53 pm.