Hundreds of properties have been left without power after a sudden power cut this morning.

More than 700 properties have been affected in the Bury West area, including Ainsworth village.

Electricity North West engineers attended and power was restored to 589 hours within the hour at 8.46am.

Power was then restored to the remaining 159 properties at 9.08am.

In a statement Electricity North West said: "This power cut has been caused by an unexpected incident on the high voltage cable that provides electricity to your home or business.

"We didn't know before your electricity went off that this was going to happen but now we know, rest assured we will get your power back on safely and as quickly as possible.

"Please be aware that all our timescales are estimated based on previous experience and may change if new information becomes available while our engineers are fixing the issue. With high voltage power cuts, we're often able to get many of the homes involved back on before our estimated time of restoration."

(Image: Social media)

The power cuts, which have left 748 homes without power, were reported by residents at 7.49am this morning. 
 

One resident who lives in Ainsworth Village said: "The power went off just as I was leaving for work, we are used to power cuts in Ainsworth Village I'm just glad I was ready to leave.

"But of course it will  cause a huge  inconvenience to a lot of people."

The postcodes affected are:

BL2 5SJ, BL2 5RD, BL2 5RA, BL2 5SG, BL2 5RS, BL2 5SQ, BL2 5QA, BL2 5PP, BL2 5PW, BL2 5PR, BL1 1TZ, BL2 5QB, BL2 5PQ, BL2 5PS, BL2 5PU, BL2 5PN, BL2 5PX, BL2 5PY, BL2 5SD, BL2 5PZ, BL2 5PT, BL2 5RE, BL2 5RU, BL2 5RY, BL8 2HB, BL2 5RX, BL2 5SF, BL2 5PG, BL7 9AT, BL2 5PL, BL2 5QG, BL2 5QD, BL2 5QF, BL2 5RT, BL2 5QY, BL2 3HN, BL2 5QL, BL2 5QQ, BL2 5QX, BL2 5QE, BL2 5QP, BL2 5QJ, BL2 5QU, BL2 5QH, BL2 5RB, BL2 5SP, BL2 5RH, BL2 5QW, BL2 5QN, BL2 5RR, BL2 5RP, BL2 5RQ, BL2 5RL, BL2 5SL, BL2 5RF, BL2 5RN, BL2 5RJ, BL2 5SR, BL2 5SH, BL2 5SN, BL2 5SW

The affected residents received a text message this morning from Electricity North West: " Hi, it's Electricity North West (ENWL).

"We're currently aware of a loss of power in your area. This is due to unexpected damage to our cables that supply your property.

"We have started work to fix your power remotely, but we may need to send a team to site if we cannot restore all customers this way, which may mean the estimated time provided may change.

"Your power may be going on and off whilst they do this, but don't worry this is normal. We're sorry if this is disrupting your plans.

"We will keep you updated on this number with further updates and information - if you're not impacted by this, please reply NOT OFF & we'll remove you from future communications.

"If anyone needs additional support please contact us on freephone 105 or visit our website for help and advice. Thanks ENWL."

A spokesperson for Electricity North West said: “Earlier this morning at 7:48am, we received reports of a power cut affecting 748 properties in Ainsworth due to a fault with the overhead power network.

“Teams responded immediately, attended site and power was restored to 589 properties within the hour at 8:46am.

"Power was then restored to the remaining 159 properties at 9:08am.”