AN ELDERLY couple have said they may be forced to leave their home if they are continually kept awake by the noise of a large electricity generator. The generator has been in place for more than a week – right next to the couple s bedroom at their flat at

AN ELDERLY couple have said they may be forced to leave their home if they are continually kept awake by the noise of a large electricity generator.

The generator has been in place for more than a week - right next to the couple's bedroom at their flat at Mill Common, Huntingdon - following a power failure.

Hundreds of homes were left without electricity on Monday and Tuesday morning last week. But while electricity was quickly restored to the majority of homes, the block of 26 flats at Mill Common was unable to be reconnected due to a network fault under the A14.

Patricia Seale, 69, said: "We feel shattered during the day because the generator is so loud that we can't get a decent night's sleep."

Harold Seale, 73, added: "We live close to the A14 but with our double glazing we can't hear a thing from the busy road. This is totally different and is causing us a lot of distress."

The couple, who have three daughters, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, have lived in their flat for more than a year.

Mrs Seale said: "We just want this all to be over, it is a nightmare situation."

Power company EDF Energy Networks said it has been unable to complete the work because the network fault occurred under the A14, but promised action would be taking place this weekend.

The emergency generator supplies power to 26 flats in the Waters Meet development. It is also blocking two car parking spaces and blocking access for refuse collectors.

A spokesman for electricity company EDF Energy Networks said: "We would like to apologise to customers in the Huntingdon area who experienced an interruption to power supply on Monday, January 29, following a fault on the underground electricity network.

"Unfortunately, due to the complex nature of permanent repair work needed to reinstate usual supply, generators had to be installed in the interim period to reinstate customers in the Waters Meet and Mill Common areas.

"We appreciate this may be inconvenient and would like to reassure customers that permanent repair work is due to take place overnight on Saturday into Sunday.

"This work will involve the closure of one lane of the A14 westbound carriageway at Godmanchester and will involve a traffic management programme and speed restrictions.