HUNDREDS of homes in the BA14 and BA 15 postcode areas suffered a loss of power following a series of loud bangs in a quiet Trowbridge street tonight.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to Shore Place just after 9pm following an incident at a local electricity substation.

Two crews from Trowbridge and Bradford on Avon initially attended the scene and then handed over the incident to Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) power engineers.

It is understood the loud bangs and flashes may be related to a fault at the electricity substation.

According to the SSE website, more than 88 postcodes beginning with BA are affected by power outages.

The cause of the fault is as yet unknown. Local residents reported a series of loud bangs and saw bright flashes.

An alleyway leading to a field at Shore Place has been sealed off with ‘do not cross’ tape.

SSE said: “We apologise for the loss of supply. We currently have a fault affecting the areas listed.

“Our engineers are on site working to get the power back on as quickly as they can.

“If you need more information, please call us on 0800 072 7282 and quote reference 'EE05.”