A NUMBER of businesses in the St James Street area of Taunton have been left without electricity after a digger accidentally cut through a main cable.

The disruption was caused by work being carried out on the multi-million pound Coal Orchard development.

The Ring of Bells pub is among businesses affected.

Pub manager Charles Morrish said the power suddenly went down at 11.10am today (Thursday).

He added: "Things have ground to a halt.

"We were launching a new menu today and we've had to cancel all our bookings - that's 40 meals.

"They told us a channel was being dug and the digger went through a cable.

"They're hoping they'll be able to get someone in to fix it within an hour."

The pub is remaining open.

A number of other businesses, homes and it is believed St James Medical Centre are also currently without electricity.

Western Power Distribution says the following postcodes are affected: TA1 1JR, TA1 1JH, TA1 1JS, TA1 1JP, TA1 1JT, TA1 1JL, TA1 1JJ.

It expects power to be restored by 3pm.

A spokesperson for Somerset West and Taunton Council said: “We apologise for any disruption caused to businesses and residents in the Coal Orchard area affected by an interruption to their electricity supply.

"This was caused by an accidental cable strike during construction work at the flagship development.

"Western Power Distribution are on site and working to restore the connection.”