PLANNED power cuts in Stainton and Casterton have been postponed due to the sub-zero temperatures.

Electricity North West had planned to switch off the power to homes in Stainton and Casterton to carry out work on overhead power cables tomorrow.

But the company has postponed work after facing criticism from residents.

Stan Jackson, 67, from Stainton, said: “Temperatures are going to be dangerously low and a lot of people have central heating systems that need electricity to run.

“There may well be people about who are desperately cold in their homes. I know there would be a few in Stainton.”

Lee Maxwell, Operations Manager for Electricity North West, said: “It is not usually possible to reschedule planned work as it is carried out when and where it is needed to reduce the risk of power cuts on the network.

“We maintain more than 13,000 kilometres of overhead lines in the North West to reduce the risk of power failures.

"However, we have now been able to reschedule the work at Casterton and Stainton as most of the work has already been done and there is not an imminent risk of failure on the remaining section.

“Without essential maintenance, customers would suffer longer and more frequent outages with no notice.

"Our engineers need to work in all temperatures to get work done and maintain reliable supplies for customers.

"Other essential work in the area will have to continue throughout the winter.”