POWER cuts today hit Bournemouth and Poole, and hundreds of people are getting power from mobile generators.

Kinson suffered a second day of power cuts after an emergency generator failed – it was one of two which had been brought in after a power cut on Tuesday.

Electricity to 280 homes disappeared around 3.45pm, and was restored by Southern Electric at 7.10pm.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said: “My neighbour got the barbecue and wok out and cooked their dinner on that.”

Streets affected were understood to include: Markham Avenue, Kinson Park Road, Castleton Avenue, Keeble Road and Horsham Avenue.

Broadstone in Poole was hit by a power cut at around the same time, though Southern Electric said the faults were unrelated.

Power was soon restored to most of the 500 affected homes.

However around 115 homes were not so lucky in: Merriefield Avenue, Greensleeves Avenue, Upper and Lower Golf Links Road, Portmore Close, Woodleaze Close and surrounding roads.

A mobile generator is due on scene at around 10pm and engineers hope to provide emergency power to those homes by midnight.

Engineers will need to start digging up the road to repair a fault in a high voltage cable.

Southern Electric spokesman Julian Reeves said: “How long repairs will take will depend on when workmen can start and hopefully it will be as soon as possible.

“We apologise to out customers. We understand how vital power is especially when the weather is so cold. Our engineers are doing all they can.”