ELECTRICITY to thousands of North-East homes was cut off yesterday as high winds returned to batter the region.

About 4,000 homes in the Seaham area of County Durham lost power in the early morning when a pole supporting the overhead cable network in the area was damaged and caught fire.

Four schools in the region were closed as engineers worked to restore power.

Elsewhere, high winds caused the closure of roads and bridges, and trees were felled.

In a repeat of the gales that battered the region earlier this month, winds of more than 60mph were recorded in County Durham yesterday.

In Teesdale, strong winds caused the A66 west of Bowes to be closed to high-sided vehicles.

Four minor roads in North Yorkshire became blocked as trees were brought down by the gales.

Further north, the Redheugh Bridge, over the Tyne, was closed to high-sided vehicles.

There were reports of structural damage to buildings in Chester-le-Street and fire crews were called out to deal with falling tiles in Seaham.

Although damage from the latest winds was minor compared with the recent storms, in County Durham a number of schools had to shut their doors.

Frosterley Community School, in Weardale, New Seaham Primary, Seaham School of Technology and St Cuthbert's Primary School, in New Seaham, were all closed.

Storm damage also forced the closure of Lanchester EP Primary School and schools in the Hexham and Corbridge area.

Many of the schools had only recently reopened after the storms two weeks ago.

Power to the affected homes and schools was reconnected yesterday lunchtime.

A spokesman for NEDL said all pre-planned work had been suspended as they carried out extensive safety checks on the region's 32,000kms of power lines.

The Met Office said the high winds were set to continue for the next few days, with temperatures likely to drop.