SCORES of homes were left without power after a power substation was broken into.

More than 150 homes were hit by a power cut at 9.30am on Monday, Police said they believed youths had broken into the substation, in Jockey Street, Burnley, and accidentally turned off the power.

United Utilities, which manages the substation, received calls from residents complaining of the power cut. The company informed the police who went to the scene. Power was back on after an hour.

A police spokesman said: "It looks as though the lock has been forced.

"We believe it might have been children who broke in and flicked the off switch by accident.

"We would like to warn children of the dangers of playing in substations. The voltage in them is extremely high and playing in them can prove to be fatal."