An underground cable fault left 3,000 Brighton homes without power last night.

Residents in the Withdean and Hollingbury areas lost their electricity at 7.40pm when a cable developed a fault, affecting roads including Eldred Avenue, Highfield Crescent, Greenfield Way, Crowhurst Road and Clappers Lane.

Engineers restored most supplies within 40 minutes and the final 300 homes were restored by 8.45pm.

Seeboard apologised today for the blackout.