ELECTRICITY poles and lines will be replaced in Blandford and Corfe Mullen to boost power supplies in the area.

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is undertaking a £220,000 upgrade in the area to "boost network resilience" to more than 8,700 homes and businesses ahead of winter.

The programme of works is due for completion by mid-October, ahead of the winter months when adverse weather has the potential to affect power supplies.

Project Planner, John O’Reilly said: "The electricity infrastructure serving Blandford Forum and Corfe Mullen had been identified by SSEN for investment to ensure they have a robust power supply that will serve them now and into the future.

"Sections of the overhead network for the area were nearing the end of their working life and we were able to plan in this programme of works to refurbish them ahead of winter."

Any customers who will be affected by minor planned service interruptions have already been warned.

Anyone considered to be high risk can sign up for support during power cuts through SSEN's Priority Services Register. This includes people with a disability, those who are deaf or blind, people with children under five and the over 60s.

Go to ssen.co.uk/psr for details.