ENGINEERS from Scottish Power are returning to Hoylake following reports of a second power cut in less than 24 hours.

A spokesman for the energy company confirmed that workers were dealing with a low-voltage cable fault in Market Street, which is affecting around 40 properties.

The power cut is unconnected to last night's incident, when around 1,000 homes in Hoylake were without power for more than an hour because of a black-out caused by an underground cable fault.

Scottish Power engineers quickly worked to locate and repair the fault, which was reported at around 7pm and left thousands of residents in darkness.

Power was restored at 8.05pm.

Scottish Power said engineers were enroute to Hoylake again this afternoon to investigate reports of a second blackout, which they hope to repair as soon as possible.

More later.