A power cut plunged parts of Stevenage, North Herts and Welwyn Garden City into darkness last night (November 4), affecting our two hospitals.

UK Power Networks became aware of a fault at 7.48pm, which affected thousands of properties across 36 postcode areas, including Stevenage, Letchworth, Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City.

Last night, the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust told patients: "Please be aware that Lister Hospital is currently affected by a power failure covering parts of Hertfordshire. We are working hard to minimise impact."

The power cut also affected the New QEII Hospital in Welwyn Garden City.

This morning, the NHS trust said: "Power has been restored to our sites, and patients should attend any scheduled appointments as normal unless advised otherwise."

UK Power Networks has confirmed that a fault occurred on a high voltage underground electricity cable in the area, causing the power cut.

The power was restored to all affected areas at 2.11am. 

One resident said: "It felt like I was back in the 70s, when we couldn't afford to run the power stations."

Another said: "It was very scary. Luckily, we found some handy candles."