HOMES in a South Essex postcode will have their power turned off for up to seven or eight hours today.

UK Power Networks (UKPN) has confirmed on its website that over three homes in the SS11 8 postcode will be affected in a planned power outage today, August 5.

The postcode includes areas of Shotgate and Rawreth and the power is expected to go off at 8am and won’t be restored until potentially 3pm or 4pm today.

Power is being switched off to allow planned and “essential” maintenance work to the “electricity supplies” in the area.

Over three homes are expected to lose their power during the outage, and typically a planned outage will only affect one street, not the whole postcode.

Anyone affected would have received a letter in the post from UKPN.

A comment on the UKPN website said:

“We're carrying out planned work in your area.

“For our engineers to carry it out safely they need to turn the power off.

“We're doing this work as it's essential to provide reliable electricity supplies to your area.

“We're sorry for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your patience.”