A POWER cut in east Dorset left some 2,900 homes and businesses without electricity for nearly two hours today.

The fault, reported at 11.30am, was caused by a tree falling on overhead power cables in the St Leonard's area, and affected properties there and in Ferndown, Ringwood, Kingston and Matchams.

Scottish and Southern Energy restored power to more than 2,500 customers by 1.30pm and to the remaining 380 properties in St Leonards by 2pm.

Peter Lovesey was visiting the Oakdene Forest Park Leisure Club in St Leonards at the time of the cut.

“I turned up at the gym and it was shut,” he said.

“This has caused absolute mayhem, especially so close to Christmas. McDonalds, Lidl and Halfords in Ferndown were all closed.”

A spokesman for SSE said: “We would like to apologise to our customers who have been affected by the power cut this morning.”