The lights have gone back on for scores of villagers who were without power for nearly 14 hours after a electric pole was chopped down.

Neighbours said they heard an explosion and saw a blue flash at around 4am yesterday (Tuesday) morning.

A UK Power Networks spokesman said that the pole may have been cut down by metal thieves.

A total of 46 homes in the Station Road area of Farningham were affected.

Sutton-at-Hone resident Pat de Winton was on her way to pick up friends to drive them to Heathrow Airport when she heard a loud noise.

She said: "I heard an almighty bang. It was like a thunderbolt, there was a bright blue flash.

"Afterwards all the street lights just went off, it was quite amazing. When I came back it was pitch black."

The power went back on at about 6.50pm yesterday.

A UK Power Networks spokesman said: "UK Power Networks will press for the prosecution of anyone caught tampering with its network.

"Safety is of paramount importance to UK Power Networks and we would like to warn that anyone entering a substation or tampering with our network, other than our own trained engineers, is risking their lives and the lives of others.

"Our biggest concern is that thieves risk being electrocuted."