A LORRY driver was forced to leap from his cab when his wagon hit overhead electricity cables as he delivered fertiliser at a farm.

Thousands of homes were left without electricity for up to six-and-a-half hours after the accident at Deaf Hill, near Trimdon, County Durham, after 9am yesterday.

The driver, who was unhurt, had reversed under the cables, but after raising the tipper at the back, he pulled forwards again, hitting the 20,000 volt wires.

Firefighters were called to Hurworth Bryan Farm to make the vehicle safe, while staff from NEDL, the supply arm of Northern Electric, isolated the supply.

Assistant divisional officer Phil Ward, of County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue, said there were was damage to the wagon's hydraulic ram and wheels.

NEDL said there were 3,000 customers affected, 2,200 of whom had their power returned at 11am. A further 450 had electricity back a few minutes later, but the rest had to wait until about 3.30pm because of problems untangling the wire from the truck