HOMES near Braintree have been left without electricity following an unplanned power cut this morning.

UK Power Networks confirmed it is aware of an outage affecting properties in the CM7 5 postcode area, which includes Panfield, Shalford, and Great Sailing.

The power company said it is the result of a fault to an underground power cable and a road in the area could be dug up as a result.

A statement says: "We became aware of a power cut at 5.04am. We’re sorry for any disruption this may have caused you.

"We didn’t know in advance there would be a power cut but now that we know, our teams will do everything they can to get your power back quickly."

Engineers are now on site and they estimate power will be switched back on between 10.30am and 11.30am today.