THE residents of Tockholes have never had a gas supply to their village - but now it seems electricity has become a luxury, too.

Villagers claim they have had around 18 power cuts this year alone and are demanding improvements.

Resident Steve Willis says the problem has got so bad that one pub has had to buy a generator, while he and his wife have bought back-up lights and a gas stove.

He said: "The problem is that a lot of people in Tockholes work from home, so as soon as we're left without electricity, all the computers go down. It seems to have become a common occurrence especially when it's wet and windy. Three power cuts ago we were told work was being carried out on a high-voltage pole, but since then it's been off and on.

"My wife has bought a gas stove and a gas lamp for outside just in case it carries on, but it's extra expense which we shouldn't have to pay. It's about time something was done to sort this out."

Parish council chairman Adrian Rigby said the power had been off twice this week.

He said: "Sometimes it's off for an hour or so, and on Tuesday this week it was off from 1.30pm to 4.30pm. I have spoken to the electricity people and they said there's a fault on the power line through the village.

"They said that every time we have a power cut they get closer to the problem, but that could mean another 12 power cuts before they find the exact fault.

"The cuts are also affecting local farmers. You don't mind it once or twice a year but it seems like the slightest thing sets it off. We have a baby and when you are trying to warm food it's really difficult. Sometimes we get a warning when the lights flicker and we just have chance to grab the candles."

A spokesman for United Utilities said: "We have had intermittent faults on the network through Tockholes which are notoriously difficult to trace. It can be caused by birds on the line or trees hitting the line.

"We have replaced a couple of insulators which we hope will have solved the problem. We apologise to people for the inconvenience and thank them for their patience."