A POWER CUT has affected 26,000 properties across the region tonight.

Northern Powergrid said a major fault on the system near York knocked out electricity supplies to properties as far north as Teesside, at 7.21pm.

Power was restored by 7.46pm.

A spokeswoman said: "We are not aware of any more problems and are now investigating the cause of the fault."

She apologised to customers for the interruption in electricity supply.