Traders are to seek compensation after a series of power cuts which they say has cost them thousands of pounds over the festive period.

Businesses in and around West Malling High Street have been left without power on a number of occasions over the past four weeks.

EDF Energy engineers are still working to find a permanent solution to the problem.

On Thursday, the electricity company apologised to 12 businesses for interruptions to the supply, citing a “localised fault on our underground network” as the cause of the problem.

But traders say they hope to be reimbursed for losses caused by the cuts.

Martin McColl newsagents, in the High Street, reported losses of more than £5,000, while McCoy’s fish and chip shop in nearby Swan Street estimated it had lost out on £2,000 of trade.

Martin McColl deputy manager Mark Hickmott said: “I know for a fact that last Saturday alone we lost £900; we’ve lost so much money.

“There’s no warning or anything; you’ve got customers in here and the next thing you know it’s pitch black.

He said staff had resorted to selling papers over a table at the shop doorway during blackouts, but such resourcefulness could not combat other losses.

He added: “You can’t go and choose a birthday card for someone.

“It blew our Lottery machines the first time, so we couldn’t take any money for that. Then the e-pay went so people couldn’t top up phones. The tills went down too and people just don’t want to come in wait for you to use a calculator.

“The lights flicker on and off and people come in and ask whether you're having a disco.”

Chip shop manager Parmjit Bunger, known to most in the town as Clint, said: “We can’t cook anything because the extractor fan doesn’t work - we just have to shut up and lose trade.”

West Malling Chamber of Commerce chairman Tim Baldock said he was confident EDF would agree to reimbursing those affected.

He said: “We’re going to have negotiations and see if we can come to an agreement, but it will be done in a friendly manner.

Mr Baldock, who owns Moor and Mountain ski shop and Baldocks outdoor clothing shop, said he had lost between £300 and £500, but added: “We’ve been happy to stay open to help keep everyone warm.

“We’ve had to resort to gas lamps, candles and gas heaters, but we’ve kept open.

“In some shops people susceptible to cold have gone home, but my staff are stalwarts.”

EDF energy says it is working to restore normal supplies.

It said in a statement on Thursday that it had carried out temporary repairs and was working to install 98ft of new cable, to ensure a “normal robust supply of electricity” .

The statement added: “We do understand the inconvenience caused, particularly in this cold weather, and would reassure customers we are working to resolve the problems.

“Ofgem, the industry regulator, sets guaranteed standards for electricity distribution companies. If we fail to meet these standards, customers are entitled to receive a payment.

“Such payments are not 'compensation’ and do not take into account individual inconvenience or losses. However, they are intended to demonstrate goodwill in a consistent, fair and speedy way in response to a significant incident.”