AROUND £107 million has been invested into the electricity network in the south in a bid to minimise the risk of power cuts this winter.

Earlier this year, the Daily Echo reported that hundreds of residents had been left without electricity following a number of power cuts across Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and the New Forest.

Now, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has announced that it is investing millions to 'strengthen its electricity network across central southern England' as well as encouraging customers to become winter-ready through a campaign.

Craig Gilroy, Scottish and southern electricity networks’ head of customer operations for the Wessex region, said: "We want our customers to be safe in the knowledge that we are doing all we can to keep their power on this winter.

"We have made it a priority to arm them with the information and the services they need to see them through the worst that the British winter can throw at them.

“While the campaign runs through the winter months, our commitment to building the resilience of our networks - and the resilience of the communities who rely on those networks - runs throughout the year."

The ongoing investment programme includes flood prevention measures, the refurbishment or replacement of poles, and tree cutting to prevent falling branches coming into contact with overhead lines.

In the Wessex region, which includes Dorset and Hampshire, maintenance and upgrade work has been carried out to help 'increase the resilience of the local network and minimise the risk of power cuts this winter.'

In Fordingbridge, £279,000 has been invested to replace 1.5km of the existing overhead network with the 'latest type of line' to help 'protect it from damage by airborne debris during high winds and storms.'

Eleven projects across the Wessex region have seen over £1m invested, including automated equipment on parts of the overhead network to reduce the length of time customers are without electricity in a power cut.

Meanwhile, the Get Ready for Winter campaign advises that you:

* Keep a torch with fresh batteries in a place where you can reach it easily.

* If you use other forms of heating and lighting, such as paraffin heaters and candles, don't leave them unattended.

* Switch off appliances and lights, but leave one light on so you know when power has been restored.

* If you have elderly or infirm neighbours, check to make sure they are comfortable. If you know of anyone who needs priority service call 0800 294 3259.

* If you know in advance that the electricity will be turned off, boil some water and keep it in a thermos flask to make hot drinks or fill a hot water bottle.

* Keep your freezer closed. When the power comes back on, check if the food is still hard and icy. Turn the freezer to its maximum setting for 24 hours, before putting it back on a setting that keeps it at -18°C.

* If the food has started to defrost, you may need to throw it away.

If you need to report a power cut, use the free 105 emergency number.