RURAL villages in Worcestershire are suffering increasing power cuts because of a badly designed network, according to MP Peter Luff.

Mr Luff has written to the industry regulator, Ofgem, and put a question to Department of Trade and Industry Ministers demanding action to improve the reliability of local electricity supplies. This follows a meeting with Bob Taylor, the managing director of Central Networks, the company now responsible for delivering electricity in Worcestershire.

"There is hardly a village in my constituency from which I have not received a complaint about frequent power cuts," said Mr Luff. "I have had letters in the last few months from Hartlebury, Hanbury and Ombersley, among others.

"The problem is that our supply network is badly designed and inflexible and is subject to an unusually high level of lightning strikes from storms. On top of that, a lot of the equipment is ageing and the wires are just not strong enough.

"Central Networks need to spend more on improving reliability and resilience - but the industry regulator, Ofgem, won't let them.

"We are now at the end of the current price review process and Ofgem must be persuaded to allow Central Networks to spend the extra £60m to reduce the number of power cuts.

"Rural Worcestershire must enjoy the same sort of reliability of supply already enjoyed by the bigger towns of the county.

"It's not just about convenience, it's also about village schools being safe and warm," Mr Luff added.

and rural businesses being able to do their work. It's not optional, it's essential."