HOMES in Cleator lost power when a flock of seagulls brought down electricity lines on a sports ground.

A large explosion loud enough to trigger car alarms was heard in the Cleator area as seagulls flew into a high-voltage transformer on Cleator Moor Celtic FC’s junior pitch last Friday.

Egremont and Whitehaven fire crews were called to the incident on Church Street.

The area had to be made safe by electrical engineers as the incident caused live cables to fall.

First team club secretary Herbert Briggs said: “The electricity board were working over the weekend on it.”

The sports field is used by Celtic FC for training as well as matches involving their junior teams and reserve players. A club spokesperson said: “In order to access the field the engineers had to cut our chain on the gate.”

The community were asked not to access the pitch until works were complete and the club will give further notice on when it is safe to use.

A second pitch on Birks Road is used for the side’s first team and it has recently seen £140,000 of improvements as it nears the end of a two-year drainage project.

Groundsman Dave Graham said: “Our project has been extended until July 31.”

The pitch has been resurfaced following drainage work which will combat a water-logging problem. Cleator FC are now waiting for the dry weather to pass so that the surface can grow back.

“We’re in the lap of the gods” said Mr Graham