Homes in Edgware were forced to cope without power for over 24 hours leaving some residents struggling without hot water and food.

About 30 properties in Sterling Avenue lost electricity at 5.30am on Thursday because of a fault with an underground cable.

EDF Energy Networks engineers were able to restore power to 17 customers by 2.25pm, and to the remaining customers by 9.10pm But at midnight, the power failed again and 50 homes woke up on Friday morning to further disruption, with repair work taking until 9am.

One elderly resident, Sonia Diamond, 86, said all the food has gone off in her fridge.

She added: "It was so cold, there were no lights on the streets and I couldn't get a cup of tea or anything.

"It was not good for me and there are a lot of elderly people living down here who found it hard."

Her daughter, Lesley Diamond, lives in the same road, but was not affected by the power failures.

She said: "My mum had no heating or hot water, and she nearly injured herself badly getting to the toilet on Thursday night because she couldn't see where she was going.

"I was very worried about her but nobody seemed to be taking responsibility and there didn't seem to be any consideration for the resident's."

A spokeswoman for EDF Energy said they apologise to residents for the inconvenience caused.