Power has been restored to 1,500 homes in the Didcot area after lightning caused blackouts yesterday afternoon.

Southern Electric said the electricity supply was cut only for a "short time" after lightning struck and and set fire to an electricity pole in East Hagbourne late afternoon.

Homes in Didcot and East Hagbourne were affected. Southern Electric spokesman Sharon Miller-McKenzie said the blackout was caused by a safety device which triggers when lightning strikes.