Electricity North West engineers have restored supplies to 20,000 properties as strong winds continue to cause new power cuts in the region.

400 engineers are still working across the region to restore supplies but access issues and high winds continue to hamper efforts with some rural areas expected to be without power overnight.

High winds and drifting snow are making it difficult for engineers to access damaged overhead lines, and to climb poles to make repairs. Gusts of 61mph have been recorded in the North Lakes with continuing snow showers and further snow predicted from the south and east later today with high winds predicted until midnight.

Teams will continue to work through the night, where it is safe to do so, with additional teams on standby from first light tomorrow to continue restorations, including engineers from the North East power network.

Latest restoration numbers:

• 7,700 properties in Cumbria restored with 1,100 remaining
• 6,100 properties in Lancashire restored with 500 remaining
• 6,200 properties in the Peak District restored with 300 remaining.

Electricity North West incident manager, Chris Fox said: “The weather is still atrocious and our teams are putting in a momentous effort to restore power. Unfortunately, as we restore power in some areas the weather is causing further power cuts in other areas. Some areas we still can’t access, and in exposed areas it’s still not safe to climb our poles to make repairs due to the high winds.

"We are continuing to work with the emergency services and local councils to get access but this will get more difficult and dangerous as night falls. We will continue working through the night where it is safe to do so, with further teams ready to continue restoration in the morning. Please get in touch with us if you are without electricity and stay safe and warm until our engineers can restore power."

Electricity North West is attempting to send free food vans to the worst affected areas with one at the Toby Inn, Edgeworth, Bolton. The network operator is also attempting to send another two vans to Gamblesby, however other vans in similarly remote areas have had to turn back due to lack of access.

When all power cuts have been restored and the incident is over, Electricity North West will proactively notify customers who have been without electricity for more than 12 hours offering goodwill payments for the inconvenience of being without power.

Electricity North West offers extra support to customers through its Priority Services Register. Extra support is available to customers if they require it. Customers can register online by visiting www.enwl.co.uk/priority or calling Electricity North West on 105.

For advice on how to be prepared and stay safe please visit www.enwl.co.uk/power-cuts/dealing-with-power-cuts

To report a power cut please call the national number 105, follow @ElectricityNW on Twitter or Facebook.

*Image- Horwich