IT TOOK just 10 minutes to turn Dunmow s High Street into chaos as the entire centre suffered a power cut on Monday morning. Bank machines swallowed cards, traffic lights failed and alarms were set off when power was lost to the High Street, White Street

IT TOOK just 10 minutes to turn Dunmow's High Street into chaos as the entire centre suffered a power cut on Monday morning.

Bank machines swallowed cards, traffic lights failed and alarms were set off when power was lost to the High Street, White Street and Angel Lane, including the Broadcast offices.

A spokesman for EDF Energy said: "Power was interrupted to several thousand customers in Dunmow at 11.14am on Monday.

"Our network engineers restored power to some customers within 10 minutes, and to all customers affected by 11.32am and we are investigating the cause. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused."

As the Broadcast went to press EDF Energy was still investigating the cause of the blackout.

Fearing the worst, chairman of the chamber trade and commerce, Mike Perry spoke to the Broadcast moments after the power was lost. "It is all we need on a Monday," he said. "I have a big job to finish off for this afternoon so I hope that it isn't off for long, traders on the Dunmow High Street need to be open and working for as long as possible!"

Thankfully, for shoppers and traders alike, the power came back on at 11.25am.