Hundreds of homes and businesses in Carlisle were left without power today.

The power cut even meant a numbe of cases at the city's crown court were held in partial darkness this morning.

Electricity was lost across that area of the city centre for over an hour. But despite main lighting and then a back-up supply failing, cases did go ahead in front of a judge in one court room.

The only light for those hearings came from a large window high on one wall.

As he stood in the dark dock, one defendant who had his case adjourned was told by Judge James Adkin: "I am sorry we have had to conduct this hearing in crepuscular gloom.

"We are stuck with the conditions."

Power was restored to the building, including courtrooms, at about 11am.

Electricity North West confirmed power was lost to 931 customers at about 9.30am this morning due to damage to equipment.

A spokesperson for Electricity North West, said: "565 customers were automatically restored within three minutes and engineers arrived onsite to repair the damage and restore power to the remaining customers by 12pm this afternoon."

Customers who would like further information can contact the free national number 105 or on by tweeting @ElectricityNW.