HOMES in Colchester have been plunged into darkness after an unexpected power cut.

UK Power Networks says a fault with equipment at a substation in the Harwich Road area has left some homes in the CO4 0 and CO4 3 postcode areas without electricity.

The electricity company became aware of the power cut just after 8.30pm tonight and currently estimates the power will be switched back on between 12.30am and 1.30am on Friday.

An update on its website at about 9.30pm says: “Thanks for bearing with us tonight.

“Our engineers are checking our substation equipment to ensure our network is healthy before they attempt to restore your power.

“They may also walk our cabling route throughout the area to check for any visible problems, check smaller electrical sites in the area, or apply specialist equipment which may restore power temporarily to help them with their testing.”