Payout offer after storm blackout

Gales of up to 80mph ripped down trees and cables

A surprise compensation package has been announced for people in East Anglia who were without electricity for days after the storms last weekend.

Power company 24Seven has said it will pay £100 to customers who were without electricity for five days.

The figure is far lower than that recommended by the power watchdog Energywatch, although power companies elsewhere have refused to offer any compensation.

At the height of the storm on Sunday 27 October, 300,000 homes in East Anglia were without power.

We received more calls from our customers in one day than we usually do in six months.

24Seven spokesman

Five days later 24Seven estimates that 20,000 homes in the region had still not been reconnected.

The £100 special storm payments will be made to customers who were still without power at 2200 GMT on Thursday 31 October.

East Anglia was the area worst affected by the storms with storm force winds ravaging power supplies.

A 24Seven spokesman said: "We received more calls from our customers in one day than we usually do in six months.

A review of procedures is under way by 24Seven

"We brought in additional call centres to help, but even with this additional support, we are aware than many customers still couldn't contact us phone .

"Again we apologise and we will learn from this for the future."

The spokesman said the payment was to compensate customers who had long delays before being reconnected and thank them for their patience.

Customers who believe they are eligible for the payment should write to Customer Solutions, 24Seven, Fore Hamlet, Ipswich IP3 8AA or e-mail [e-mail].