Totnes high street plunged into darkness this morning when damage to a cable at the local electricity sub station was damaged.

A total of 1,876 properties were affected by the power cut, which was reported to Western Power Distribution (WPD) at 9.37am.

The vast majority of shops and cafes in the town centre were affected, along with the Grove Primary School and nearby homes.

Power is gradually being restored to properties as workmen from the electricity network carry out on-site repairs, but 158 properties still remain without power.

A WPD spokeswoman said the company does not know what time the power will be restored to the remaining properties, but hopes they will be connected back to the grid by 12noon.

She said: “There was third party damage to one of our cables outside one of our sub stations in Totnes.

“It was reported to us at 9.37 that there had been a trip of supply which affected 1,876 properties.

“By 11am 158 properties were still off supply.

“Our guys are down their working and power probably won’t go back on until the repairs have been done. We haven’t got an estimated time for this but hopefully it will be by midday.”