ANGRY villagers are demanding action from their electricity supplier after a spate of power cuts.

Residents of Dalton, between Richmond and Barnard Castle, say they are sick and tired of waking up to cold showers after seven power cuts in ten weeks.

Several residents have bought generators to maintain freezers, central heating systems and lights.

Others say they are even considering moving if the situation does not improve.

One villager, who asked not to be named, said: "During one power cut, which left the village in pitch darkness, the entire village hummed to the noise of generators.

"The power supply to war- torn Baghdad is more reliable then the supply to Dalton.

"It is like being in a third world country."

The resident said that the sound of burglar alarms going off, combined with the pitch darkness during the cuts, was very disconcerting for villagers.

David Brooks, who runs a bed and breakfast business in Dalton, said: "It seems to affect us, but other villages nearby don't have a problem."

Villagers say they are concerned about the high proportion of elderly residents in the parish who may be especially affected by the power failures.

The cuts are also affecting businesses and people who work from home, say residents.

Villagers claim electricity voltages to some properties are much higher than 240 volts, which could be causing light bulbs to blow and other electrical goods to malfunction.

Letters from power supplier NEDL to residents say the problem is caused by "switch gear" and the recent severe gales.

Villagers will meet with representatives of NEDL to call for improvements to the supply and discuss compensation at a public gathering this week.

The meeting will be held at Dalton Village Hall, on Thursday, at 7.30pm.

A spokesman for NEDL said last night: "We have been in discussions with residents and we have arranged to go and speak with them.

"We intend to give this our utmost attention and, if there is a fault, we will endeavour to rectify it as soon as possible."