Nearly 5,000 Essex homes were still without power today following the weekend storms.

A spokesman for energy supplier 24seven said engineers were working "flat out" to reconnect nearly 4,700 homes in the county.

The company was bracing itself for compensation claims.

The spokesman said: "The normal compensation arrangements of £50 for being off for more than 18 hours were suspended following the severity of the storm.

"Customers who feel they have had a loss can write to us but it may be worth first looking at their house insurance."

Consumer watchdog Energywatch criticised electricity suppliers. Chairman Ann Robinson said: "There have been too many cases of people who cannot get through to a customer helpline. These consumers may have been without heat or light for three days and they deserve better treatment."

Published Wednesday October 30, 2002

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