UK Power Networks engineers have restored power to over half a million customers who were affected when high winds caused extensive damage to power lines yesterday.

Latest figures show there are currently approximately about 48,000 properties in the east and 9,000 in the south east still without power and these figures are changing constantly.

Some counties are back to normal now (Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire).

The storm was the biggest the company has coped with since 2002, and it affected power to nearly 620,000 customers.

Other electricity distribution companies are supporting by lending their staff and today about 900 engineers are working hard to repair the damaged network and restore power to customers as soon as possible.

That is six times the usual number on duty.

Engineers are currently working with the firm from Yorkshire, Liverpool, South Wales and the Midlands.

Customer service staff and volunteers from the British Red Cross, which works in partnership with UK Power Networks, will also be on site helping people in the worst affected areas.

Yesterday the firm received more than 157,000 calls.

Customers wanting to report any power cuts and damaged lines should phone 0800 783 8866 and in the east call 0800 783 8838 or visit www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk and follow the company on twitter for updates.