HOMES and businesses in the heart of Leigh have been hit by a severe power outage. 

UK Power Networks was alerted to the power cut at 1.50pm this afternoon caused by a faulty piece of equipment underground.

According to a UK Power Networks map of the outage, roads including Leigh Road and Leigh Broadway are affected. 

It comes after some residents reported hearing a "loud bang" in the Leigh Broadway area.

Engineers are on scene, UK Power Networks say. About 141 properties are affected, it added.

Update from UK Power Networks  at 5.33pm: Our engineers are working to excavate and remove the faulted equipment from our network. Once this has been done, they will work to connect a replacement unit, and this is done one underground connection at a time. Due to the complexity of this, we'll be restoring power to the area in stages, with our staff now estimating that all of the affected properties are to be restored between now and 21:30-22:30. I am sorry for the delay, but I'll keep you updated with progress and if you need to speak to us our team are always here on 105.

UK Power Nerworks update at 6.17pm: Our customer support vehicle is now on site. It's located opposite the Leigh Broadway pharmacy on Elm Road and is ready to provide extra support to anyone affected by the power cut. If you have someone in your property or know of someone who needs extra care, or cannot travel to the vehicle; please let us know by calling 08003163105 or tweet us @UKPowerNetworks.

At 4.37pm, UK Power Networks said it was sending its customer support vehicle out to the area.

UK Power Networks website said: "This can provide hot water, some hot food (or a microwave to heat your own), WIFI, charging points and on site information."

Echo: UK Power Networks have published this map covering the power cut in Leigh today (Saturday)UK Power Networks have published this map covering the power cut in Leigh today (Saturday)

At 2.13pm, UK Power Networks said engineers were on site, carrying out investigations into the fault. 

On its website, UK Power Networks say: "We became aware of a power cut at 2.18pm.

"We’re sorry for any disruption this may have caused you. We didn’t know in advance there would be a power cut but now that we know, our teams will do everything they can to get your power back quickly."