A power company has apologised to hundreds of customers who were unable to watch live TV coverage of the Diamond Jubilee floatilla because of a seven-hour power cut.

Homes across the Westfield area south of Dereham were plunged into darkness at about 2.16pm on Sunday June 3, just as the historic centrepiece of the celebrations was nearing its climax.

Pensioner Ralph Flewellin and his wife Valerie, who uses a wheelchair, had been particularly looking forward to the live footage.

Mr Flewellin said: 'The wife was looking forward to seeing the boats coming down the Thames and we couldn't see a thing about it. In the evening news they showed you the procession, but in about one minute. It's definitely not the same as seeing it live.

'It was a one-off event after so many years on the throne, and we were thrown into darkness. It was something for us to look forward to, but it was just one of those things.'

Morrisons in Dereham also suffered repeated power cuts, having to close because the tills would not work. It reopened when power was restored, only to shut once more when it cut off again.

UK Power Network said 226 customers were hit after tree branches damaged its overhead network in bad weather, and although supplies were restored to 127 customers at 5.40pm, the rest were not reconnected until 9.03pm.

A spokesman said: 'Progress of repairs was hindered as the damaged lines were over marshland, which prevented vehicle access. We appreciate how difficult it is to be without electricity and apologise to all those affected, particularly at a time of national celebration.'