VILLAGERS have criticised a power company for planning to switch off their electricity supply on Sunday – when most people are at home preparing their weekend meal.

Resident of Edmundbyers, near Consett , County Durham, were reacting to a notice to from Northern Powergrid that it would be turning off power to part of the village, from 9am to 3pm on Sunday, while it replaces equipment.

Chris and Moira Brown, who run the village’s Punch Bowl Inn, said they were given only a week’s warning that the power would be off during their busiest time. Mr Brown said: “Northern Powergrid handed us a leaflet last Sunday. They have not given us very much notice and Sunday is our busiest day.”

After complaining to the company yesterday(THURS), they were assured that power would be turned back on by 11am.

Mr Brown said: “It means we can still operate, but do not have the same preparation time we would normally have.

“I not happy it was planned for a Sunday. As far as I am aware it is not an urgent job.

“Why couldn’t they do carry out the work on a Monday when we are quiet and everyone in the village is at work?”

A Northern Powergrid spokesman said: "We have spoken to the owner of the Punch Bowl to discuss his concerns about the timing of our work.

“We appreciated his concerns and agreed that while the work will still take place on Sunday, it will be concluded by 11am."