South Lakes village saved from power cut by MP

Villagers in Levens won't have their power turned off today after local MP Tim Farron made United Utilities bosses see sense.

The power to 29 properties in the village was due to be turned off today for work to be carried out on trees near local power lines. Anxious villagers contacted Tim worried that they would be without heating for a day during the coldest weather for many years.

Speaking this morning, Tim said: "It took a while, and a call to the Chief Executive's office, for United Utilities to see sense. I understand their need to turn power lines off to carry out maintenance, but to leave elderly and vulnerable people without power during one of the coldest snaps on record is plain stupid."