POYNTON was in chaos on Thursday as a 19-hour power cut continued to blight traffic and traders.

The village shops and homes were plunged into the dark ages on Wednesday lunchtime and, after a short reprieve at midnight, traders arrived this morning to be faced with another cut.

Traffic lights at Poynton's busiest Fountain Place junction – and at Park Lane, London Road North and London Road South – stopped working, creating huge tailbacks in every direction.  The cut also triggered fire alarms, adding to the confusion.

Keith Lambert, owner of Mates DIY on Park Lane, said: “It really is devastating for us. All the benefit of Poynton's Christmas festival has been undone in a day.”

The Co-operative Pharmacy, on Park Lane, was forced to turn away pensioners with prescriptions because they were unable to process computer orders.  And many restaurants had to bin spoiled food and close due to Health and Safety fears.

United Utilities, responsible for the electricity on Park Lane, apologised for any convenience.

"We are doing our best but it's been a complicated problem to resolve."

See next week's Express for the full story.