Seeboard is offering residents £50 compensation and an apology after a series of power cuts left villages around Lewes blacked out five times in six months.

The power company admits customers have a right to a better service.

The most recent power failure on Sunday evening in Rodmell village lasted nine hours.

Pauline Cherry, of Newhaven Road, said: "I've lived here 34 years and it's getting worse. Normally we all go over to the pub and sit there in candlelight but there are several elderly people in the village who find it hard to get out.

"When my neighbours moved in last year I gave them some candles for Christmas. It's been a running joke but the joke's wearing a bit thin."

Sunday's power cut, which lasted from 6.23pm until about 3am, was blamed on a swan flying into overhead power cables near Northease.

Seeboard says it has inspected the line and replaced suspect connections.

Peter Hargreaves, customer operations manager, says the company is planning to refurbish the line between Rodmell and Lewes but is unable to say when the work will start.

In a letter to Mrs Cherry he admitted he understood how power cuts had affected daily life, especially as there have been so many this winter.

"You have every right to expect a better service and we are very keen to provide it," he said.

Lewes MP Norman Baker called on Seeboard to give an explanation for the problem and to fix it after the last power cut in January, which left more than 200 people without power.

After asking Seeboard for a definitive statement on the causes and frequency of blackouts and what measures it was taking to prevent future failures, the MP had a meeting with the company which he described as positive.

He said: They spent an hour in my office, brought their plans and went through all the problems and how they intend to deal with them. There was a different reason for each power cut.

"I believe they are doing quite a lot and I was pleased with their response. Hopefully this will mean an end to the problems."

Wednesday March 12 2003