About 150 homes in Southampton lost power for several hours at the weekend after a driver collided with an electricity pole.

The power first went out at about 5.30 a.m. on Saturday after the motorist hit the pole close to the former Rising Sun store on Middle Road.

The bottom of the pole was completely damaged and left hanging on to the wires, but The Royal Gazette was told by a source that the driver was nowhere to be seen when emergency crews turned up at the scene.

Belco spokeswoman Linda Smith said crews managed to get the power temporarily back on by about 7 a.m., but it was turned off again at 11 a.m. for further work to be carried out.

Power was finally restored at about 3 p.m.

About 150 homes along Middle Road, between the Waterlot Inn and Barnes Corner, were affected by the power outage.

Police were unable to provide any details on the collision last night.