COLCHESTER town centre businesses are managing on candles after the power was wiped out.

Shops came in Friday morning to find all the electricity off.

Businesses in Head Street, Bank Passage, High Street, North Hill and Culver Street West are affected.

UK Power Networks said it first received calls of a problem at 7.10am.

A spokesman said: "Engineers are on site restoring power following a link box failing.

"They have been there for a few hours now and are looking to get the power back on as soon as possible."