AROUND 190 properties were affected by a power cut in Lower Darwen as Storm Eleanor hit East Lancashire.

Engineers from Electricity North West were called out to Exchange Street in Sunnyhurst, Lower Darwen, at 2.26am today.

Eighty-five properties had power restored by 3.31am and a further 90 were sorted by 4.50am.

A spokesman for Electricity North West said: “By 6.41am there were still 13 properties affected and they were expected to be sorted at 5.16pm
“More than 3,000 were affected in the North West due to the weather.”

Earlier in the night several properties in Rossendale were affected by a power cut.

Meanwhile, a Lancashire Telegraph reader who wished to remain anonymous took a photograph of some some scaffolding and cladding which were were blown from a building on Mill Lane in Blackburn.

Early-morning commuters travelling on the M65 were warned to keep to the 50mph by the matrix signs.

Meanwhile, Chorley police had a busy night as they dealt with some road closures due to trees falling down on Great Lane, Croston, and another in Bannister Lane, Eccleston.

On a Facebook post they wrote: “Great Lane, Croston, currently closed due to fallen tree. Special branch are on the case and should be reopened soon #aboveandbeyond #gonnaneedabiggersaw”.

Lancashire Telegraph:

The winds were expected to gradually ease throughout tonight. The outlook for tomorrow will see outbreaks of rain spreading in through the morning, turning wintry over the tops of the hills. 

It would turn drier in southern parts with showers, but rain lingering in the North with a maximum temperature of 9 °C.

Looking ahead to the weekend, more showers are expected on Friday and Saturday but it will be largely dry and bright on Sunday.