More than 6,000 customers in the Tenterden area were without power for up to five hours on New Year’s Day.

A tree fell on to a high voltage line at 5.30pm, plunging 6,275 homes and businesses into darkness.

A spokesman for UK Power Networks said: “Our engineers worked as quickly and safely as possible to restore power.

“Within half an hour, supplies were restored to 2,400 customers. Engineers then restored power in stages, with the final customers having their power back at 10.50pm.

“We understand how difficult it is to be without electricity, especially during the festive period, and would like to apologise to those affected.”