The region’s power network operator has restored supplies to around 5,000 properties throughout the morning following the Met Office’s amber weather warning for severe gales of 70 to 80mph and a yellow warning for snow to hit the North West today.

Around 2,500 properties remain without power as flying debris has hit lines and high winds make access difficult for repair teams. Properties are affected mainly in Lancashire, Manchester and the Peak district including250 properties currently without power in Horwich, Bolton.

Mark Williamson, operations director for Electricity North West, said: “Our engineers are working in extremely difficult conditions and they will work as quickly and safely as possible to repair the damage and restore power to customers and we are still monitoring the weather very closely for the rest of the day.

“We were fully prepared for Storm Doris and have drafted in extra engineers and also work hard throughout the year maintaining and upgrading the network, but unfortunately overhead power lines can be damaged by flying debris in high winds.

“We invest around £130m every year and actively manage and cut back around 400,000 trees near our lines every year, which does reduce the risk of outages, but we are still prepared and we are here 24 hours day seven days a week if you need any advice or information.”

If you see power lines down please stay away and report it to Electricity North West by calling the new national power cut number, 105.