LARGE areas of Wootton Bassett were without electricity for up to an hour on Tuesday morning.

Poets Estate and Green Park were affected, and two petrol stations were put temporaril out of action.

Poets Field Post Office and the Londis store had to turn customers away, as the computer, scales and tills could not be operated.

At Partners hair salon in Gainsborough Avenue, a spokesman said: "If it had gone on any longer it could have been disastrous.

"Fortunately we had only two clients with wet hair when the power went off.

"One was willing to wait, and one went home in rollers. We phoned other clients with appointments and asked them to come in later on.''

The home of the MayorBill Roberts, was one of those affected.

A spokesman for Southern Electric said Southern Electric confirmed the power cut was caused by contractors damaging an underground cable.

"Fortunately no-one was hurt," said the spokesman.

"Obviously we give free plans, so we don't know how this happened."

The power went off at 9.22.am and was restored by 10.16.am.

Coun Roberts said residents were tired of the disruptuion caused by cable-laying contractors and the power cut underlined their concerns.