HOMES in Astley were left without electricity for hours after a fire affected their power supply.

Atherton and Leigh firefighters were called to Manchester Road Astley at 1am today.

A fire service spokesman said that a cable had caught fire underground. He said Norweb were investigating.

Flickering

The spokesman added: "The street lights were off and electricity in some of the houses out. But it was only a small area that was affected.

"In one home the lights were flickering on and off and alarms were going off."

Atherton fire service stayed at the scene for two hours making sure the houses were safe and re-assuring residents.