Supplies were cut off in Somerset; `S' Hill, Paget; Camp Hill, Southampton; and the Belmont area of Warwick.

Belco senior vice-president Mr. Eugene Cox said the power cuts started at just after 8 a.m., lasting between 15 and 27 minutes.

He was unable to say how many properties were affected.

Mr. Cox blamed the cuts on a problem with the fuel system at the company's central generating plant in Pembroke.

"It meant a lot of switches tripped, and we are now carrying out a thorough investigation.'' Mr. Cox said the cuts came as many householders were switching on supplies.

"We were able to restore power by putting our other plants on line,'' he added.