Engineers are dealing with 250 damaged overhead power lines in the south following the storm which hit the country yesterday. 

Currently there are still 7,000 homes without electricity with a team of around 1,100 engineers from Southern Electric Power Distribution working to restore power.

A Southern Electric spokesperson said: “The numbers of customers without power has fluctuated over the course of the day as some customers who previously had their power restored may have experienced further interruptions to their power.

“This is something that we are aware of and is necessary as part of the restoration process which allows additional customers to be reconnected.”

Engineers expect to be working on the faults caused by the 80mph winds into the early hours.

Around 110,000 properties lost power in St Jude's storm with homes in Melksham, Corsham, Chippenham, Trowbridge, Bradford Leigh, Pewsey and Atworth being affected.

In addition to carrying out repairs to overhead power lines, Southern Electric’s engineers are patrolling the lines looking for damage and helicopters are being used to survey the power lines.

Mobile generators are being used to reconnect households in some areas.

Anyone wishing to report an electricity problem related to the storm can call Southern Electric on 0800 072 7282.