MORE than 1,000 homes were left without power after a fault on an underground cable.

The blackout affected 1,217 homes in the Hurworth and Croft area near Darlington today(TUESDAY).

The fault occurred on an 11kV underground cable at 11.43am.

By lunchtime 141 homes were reconnected.

A spokeswoman for electricity provider CE Electric said 276 homes were likely to remain affected until the evening until a mobile generator could be installed.

She added: "We apologise for any inconvenience caused."