More than 9,000 properties and buildings near Earl Stonham were left without power for almost an hour after a large fire in a field.

An electricity cable fell on to and set alight around 10 acres of cut straw and stubble in Forward Green shortly after 3pm.

Reportedly, a combine harvester crashed in to a telegraph pole, bringing down a set of power lines and starting the fire.

Six fire engines tackled the blaze, which had been put out by 5.10pm.

A UK Power Networks spokesman said: “Due to a high voltage fault in the Forward Green area, 9,057 customers lost power supply at 3.05pm today.

“A total of 9,008 customers were restored by 3.53pm but unfortunately 49 customers remain off supply while we repair the fault.

“We are currently doing everything possible to get these remaining customers back on supply as soon as possible.”

Power was restored to the remaining 49 homes at 9.20pm, UK Power Networks later confirmed.