A POWER cut which affected 1,800 homes caused traffic lights to fail yesterday afternoon.

The fault on one of Southern Electric’s main lines cut the power in the Bincleaves, Springfield and Radipole areas of Weymouth.

A spokeswoman for the company said that it hoped to have the supply restored to most homes within two to three hours but those within the immediate area of the fault may have had their supply off for longer.

The power was restored to 1,200 homes within 15 minutes but traffic lights still remained affected.

A spokeswoman for Dorset County Council said: “A local power failure affected the traffic lights at Fiveways, Chickerell Road, Lanehouse Rocks Road and Lynch Lane. Until the power has been restored drivers are advised to follow the Highway Code at these junctions, treating the junctions with caution, giving way and being prepared to stop.”

John Pearce of Alf’s Fish and Chips in Lynch Road said: “Our power went off at about 3.45pm and came back at about 4.40pm.

“Unfortunately we had to throw away around £50 worth of food because of it.”

Staff at the Marquis of Granby, in Chickerell Road, said they were in the middle of a wake when the power cut happened and were unable to serve beer from the taps as these run on electricity.