Lancashire’s electricity provider has created a new tool to report network faults as part of a £16 million investment into storm resilience in the past year.

Electricity North West has launched the tool on its website on the anniversary of Storm Arwen, which hammered the region with high winds and snow.

The new system makes it easier to report damage to the network, and along with improved automation, ENW has invested £7m in improving the network’s resilience, cutting restoration times, and tree pruning in areas with overhead lines.

The new online tool lets people share the exact location of a fault and send photos of damage during storms.

Stephanie Trubshaw, customer director at Electricity North West, said: “Winter is a crucial time for us as extreme weather can pose a serious risk to parts of our network.

“We are always working to reduce that risk and to restore power to as many customers as possible as quickly as possible.

“We’ve spent this year further strengthening the network to minimise disruption of severe weather on power supplies, and enhancing the ways our customers can contact us following all issues experienced last year.

“We always hope our preparations aren’t needed but, if they are, our engineers and customer service teams are on hand 24/7 to respond, whatever the weather.”

During Storm Arwen last November, 93,000 properties lost power, with 90 per cent getting their power back within 48 hours

If power is lost, Electricity North West advises residents to check its live power cut information on its website via your mobile or check its social media channels for updates.

If your power cut isn’t already identified, you can call their 24-hour emergency number, 105, for free updates and advice.