RESIDENTS in parts of Bolton were left without electricity for more than two hours.

A power cut caused by a cable fault that affected around 1,500 homes in the Great Lever area between 3am and 7am on Sunday could have had serious consequences for more vulnerable residents.

Ivy Glennie, aged 76, who lives in sheltered accomodation in Sandham Walk, was without electricity to supply the oxygen equipment she needs 16 hours a day.

"I've got a chest infection at the moment, so have been needing it more frequently," she said. "I have an emergency supply, but it was dark and I couldn't see it. Fortunately a neighbour told Careline, who rang to check I was okay." Her neighbours were left in the dark and confused after being woken by burglar and fire alarms going off.

Ronald Shuker, aged 66, said: "I was quite worried about elderly neighbours. The heating didn't come on for at least two hours and it was freezing outside."

Burnden councillor Donald Eastwood said: "There have been a few power cuts in that area recently and I think United Utilities should seriously look into why they are happening."

A United Utilities spokesman said: "Engineers got out as soon as possible and were able to reconect about 950 customers by 4.30am, a further 100 by 5am and the rest by about 7am. We apologise to all the customers affected."

A spokesman for Bolton At Home said: "As far as our responsibilities go with our customers - and they are at the forefront of our business - we have to ensure their safety and security and as part of that we include their comfort at night.

"To start knocking on a lot of doors and contacting elderly residents at night via intercoms would have alarmed and confused a large number of people who were probably not even aware of the power cut.

"The people who did contact us were dealt with and we alerted United Utilities as soon as we heard of problems."

People travelling to work early this morning had to look twice at the town hall clock after it was left showing the wrong time for more than 24 hours following the power cut.

The clock, which can be seen for miles around the town centre, stopped working during the blackout.

It was left displaying the time of the powercut, even after the power had been restored.

A spokesperson for Bolton Council said that the clock mechanism had not been restarted as the town hall had been empty over the weekend, except for security staff.

He added that the problem would be rectified as soon as possible.

Carl Wood, aged 42, who is disabled and lives in Sandham Walk. He said: "I'm probably the youngest here, most people are either elderly or disabled and it would have been a nightmare for them to cope."