Motorists are being advised to drive carefully as power failures are affecting traffic lights in Weymouth and Dorchester.

A power outage was reported in Dorchester at around 11.30am. 

Homes and businesses in the DT1 area are currently without electricity.

Numerous traffic lights around the town have been affected. 

The power cut halted proceedings at County Hall but power has since returned to Dorset County Council. 

Dorset County Council’s assistant director and head of adult care Harry Capron said: “All of our core services are covered by an internal generator and we are operating business as usual.

“We’d ask all road users to take extra care while traffic signals are out and to give way at junctions."

Power has started to return to some parts of Dorchester with Travel Dorset reporting the power had come back to their offices. 

Scottish and Southern Electric engineers are currently on site working to get the power back up and running. 

An initial estimate for 2pm has now been extended to 6pm. 

In Weymouth, the traffic lights at the junction of King Street and Queen Street have been out or service since 10am.

Heavy traffic is being reported the area.

More to follow.