POWER supplies to about 500 homes have been restored after a damaged cable left hundreds of people without electricity.

Homeowners in Croft and Hurworth, near Darlington, had no power on Monday morning and electricity was off again in about 280 homes today (Tuesday, December 18).

The problem also forced Croft CE Primary School to close on Monday, but it was able to re-open today and hold a Christmas party for youngsters.

A spokesman for electricity supplier Northern Powergrid said the power cut had been caused by a fault at Croft sub-station, which had been repaired.

He said: “We apologise to customers for the inconvenience brought by the power cut.

“At this stage we do not know what caused it but our engineers will be thoroughly investigating the fault.”