IT is understood around 30 residents in the Skelsmergh area have lost their landline telephone - and in some cases internet - connections, and that it could be some time before they are restored.

The road to Skelsmergh was closed both ways yesterday - from the Burneside turn off to the Longsleddale turn off - due to emergency repairs and a vehicle fire.

A police spokeswoman said: "At around 5am this morning (September 19) police were called to a report of a road traffic collision involving one vehicle, near Skelsmergh.

"Police and fire attended and there were no reported casualties."

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She added: "A telephone pole was damaged in the incident and is being replaced."