Power has been restored to large parts of Canterbury city centre blacked out after thieves stole a section of earthing cable.

EDF Energy had to be cut supplies to 899 customers in the New Dover Road area on Monday morning for safety reasons.

Spokesman Helen Galley said supplies were interrupted at 10.55am and engineers worked to replace the missing cable as safely and as swiftly as possible.

Power was restored to all customers by 2.30pm

Audio: Helen Galley from EDF Energy explains the theft to Adam Williams >>>

The cable theft was from a local sub-sation.

Many businesses and shops in the area were without power and traffic lights were also out at the junction with Lower Chantry Lane.

EDF Energy operates more than 66,000 sub-stations.

Ms Galley added: "They are an essential part of the distribution network enabling us to supply power to some 7.8million customers.

"Unfortunately sub-stations can attract vandalism and theft which is both foolhardy and highly dangerous."