ALMOST 200 homes and businesses in the centre of a County Durham market town were without electricity for more than three hours today. 

The power cut was triggered when a cable was affected by digging work being carried out in Montalbo Road, Barnard Castle.

A spokesman for network provider Northern Powergrid said 194 properties in the area – including some in part of Galgate – lost their supply.

He said the power went off shortly before 11.15am and was restored to all properties by 2.20pm.

He added that the digging was being carried out by a third party and not Northern Powergrid.

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