after the whole Island was blacked out.

They had no electricity from about 6.45 p.m. to about 9.30 p.m. A furious grandmother on Hermitage Road, who did not want to be named, said her grandchildren were forced to do their homework by candlelight.

Other parts of the parish affected included Collectors Hill, Verdmont Road and Sayle Road.

The power cut was caused by a problem with an overhead line, said Belco senior vice-president Mr. Vincent Ingham.

Street lights were also reported out along South Road in Warwick and Southampton.