THE BBC was hoping to have replaced a faulty generator that cut off its flagship nature programme Autumnwatch midway through transmission last night.

Millions of viewers were bemused when the live programme being beamed from Morecambe Bay in the North West of England was cut off after half an hour.

Hosts Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Martin Hughes-Games about were waxing lyrical about barn owls eating starlings when the screens went blank.

A studio announcer seemed equally bemused by the blank screen, coughing and spluttering an apology before it was replaced by an old episode of Coast about the Isle of Wight.

Normal service was resumed after about ten minutes and presenters apologised for the break in transmission.

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The popular nature spot Leighton Moss RSPB reserve is hosting the show for the second year running.

The remote spot was chosen by BBC2 as it has 'one of the most diverse areas for wildlife in the whole of the UK'. But it means they have to take their own power for all the equipment.

It had for the first time featured unmanned drones armed with thermal imaging cameras flying over the nature reserve to discover more about how the resident deer behave at night.

But it was more fundamental technology, a generator, which let down the broadcasters.

A BBC spokesperson said:  "Autumnwatch is broadcast live from a remote location and as we had a complete power failure we broadcast music, announcements and a short episode of Coast while the issue was resolved.

“As soon as the programme was back on air the presenters apologised to the viewers,” she added.

The Leighton Moss reserve is run by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Marketing Officer Annabel Rushton said the BBC was “good to go” tonight (Friday).

“It is a a fantastic programme for bringing wildlife to people’s doorstep and putting us on the map.

Leighton Moss enjoyed a 50 per cent increase in visitors after it featured on last year’s Autumnwatch, with annual numbers increasing from 110,000 to 168,000.