HUNDREDS of homes are without power this evening following an electrical fault.

Power went down shortly before 5pm this evening across the Chickerell, Westham and Southill areas. The Dorset Echo office on the Granby Industrial Estate was also affected.

Scottish and Southern Energy said a number of homes had their power restored by 5.30pm.

At this time, 659 homes are still without power.

A spokesman said the cause of the fault is unknown but engineers hope to have power restored by 8pm.