POWER cuts hit parts of Ormesby last week, leaving some villagers without electricity for up to 30 hours.The worst affected residents lost light and heat during the height of the big freeze after electricity cables were damaged by wind and snow.

POWER cuts hit parts of Ormesby last week, leaving some villagers without electricity for up to 30 hours.

The worst affected residents lost light and heat during the height of

the big freeze after electricity

cables were damaged by wind and snow.

Properties on Mill View, Dean Avenue, North Road and Water Meadow Close were among those hit by the blackout.

Thousands of customers of energy supplier EDF were cut off throughout East Anglia by heavy snowfalls from Thursday night.

However, much of the Great Yarmouth area was not affected by significant snowfall until the following evening.

Laura and Sean Goodman, who live in Mill View, were left without heat and light from around 7.15pm on Thursday until just after midnight on Saturday.

The couple spent Saturday night in the Furzedown Hotel in Great Yarmouth to escape from the cold and dark of their home.

Like hundreds of other EDF customers, Mrs Goodman attempted to call the company, but was not

able to obtain any detailed information.

She said: “It was absolutely freezing, I have never been so cold, it makes you realise how much we rely on electricity. I had to leave our three cats in the house snuggled up in a duvet. I wasn't even able to charge my mobile phone up.

“EDF were absolutely hopeless. I phoned and was told I would be called back but never heard anything.”

To add to the couple's misery, they were left without hot water for several hours on Sunday as a result of a burst water main.

Barry and Gillian Cunniffe also had to endure around 30 hours without power at their Dean Avenue home.

Mr Cunniffe, who is borough councillor for Caister North said: “Most of our neighbours' power supply was restored fairly quickly, but an elderly lady nearby on North Road was cut off for a similar amount of time.

“The first night we had candles and a takeaway meal and the second night we went for a meal down the pub. Fortunately because it was so cold we did not lose the contents of our fridge and freezer.”

EDF Energy has pledged to pay compensation of �25 for every customer without power for more than 24 hours.

A spokesman said: “Our engineers worked as quickly as possible in difficult conditions, to restore supplies to customers who have been without power from Thursday night, and we also kept them updated of progress, by phone.

“We do appreciate how difficult it can be to lose power for such a long time, especially in cold weather, and apologise for the inconvenience caused.

“Like all power distribution companies we operate to guaranteed standards set by our regulator, Ofgem, which sets the level of payments and when that would apply.”