Parts of Dorset were plunged into darkness as Storm Dennis disrupted the electricity network - affecting around 30,000 customers. 

Scottish and Southern Energy Networks (SSEN) said a number of power outages have been affecting the county this morning.

A spokesman said a significant powercut - the largest the area has seen for some time - was reported at 4.40am today affecting 27,559 customers.

This affected people in the DT1, DT2 and DT3 areas - Dorchester and surrounding west Dorset villages including Cerne Abbas, Puddletown, Maiden Newton, Winterbourne Abbas, plus Abbotsbury, Portesham and areas surrounding Weymouth including Chickerell, Preston and Osmington.

Some were back on within an hour and the power was fully restored by 7am.

Engineers are trying to identify the cause of the fault.

Other powercuts are affecting the Bournemouth and Poole areas - more than 2,100 customers - and they're not likely to be back on until the afternoon.

It is understood the Blandford area has also been affected.

SSEN said the wild weather, which had brought 'challenging conditions' had been affecting other parts of its network.