Engineers from Electricity North West have said that 99% of properties will be restored today after up to 30cm of snow hit parts of Cumbria, bringing down power lines.

Newly-reported extensive network damage means that despite teams working well into tonight, a small number of properties may not be restored until Tuesday.

Electricity North West is working with emergency responders and partners to contact all customers who remain off supply to offer support and updates. Working with local businesses Electricity North West is providing hot drinks and food at key locations free of charge for those affected.

Stephanie Trubshaw, Electricity North West’s customer director, said: “Our focus is on restoring power to the remaining impacted properties, but a small number of properties may remain without power overnight due to new extensive damage reported to us this afternoon by customers in remote areas who we have now been able to make contact with.

"We understand this is an extremely difficult situation for all of our customers who have been impacted and we are working tirelessly to ensure power is restored as quickly as possible.

“We are asking everyone to take care and look out for each other, and also to get in touch with us if we’ve not managed to contact you yet. If you’re without power and haven’t yet contacted us, or if you require any extra support, please call us on 105.”

Electricity North West is also asking customers to continue to report any damage to the network that may not have been reported so far to give the full picture for engineers on the ground of work still required. If you see any lines down, stay clear and report it immediately by calling 105.

Stephanie added: “We’re continuing to work on restoring electricity supplies and fixing the remaining damage. We ask that any customers who have any additional needs or need extra support to call us.”

More than 50 separate damages have been reported on the network with several consecutive spans of overhead line brought down which all need repairing before power can be fully restored.

Electricity North West continue to work with catering outlets to help provide food outlets to those impacted:

• Greenodd Service Station - Ulverston LA12 7RE
• The White Lion, Ambleside, LA22 9DB
• The Dunes Hotel, Roanhead Beach, LA14 4QW
• Meals on wheels  - Millom
• The White Hart, Wear Bridge, Ulverston, LA12 8JB (from 5pm)