Residents in the Lewes area affected by a string of power failures are being offered £50 compensation and an apology.

Seeboard says the customers have a right to a better service.

It has taken action after a series of power cuts left villages near the town blacked out at least five times in the past six months.

The most recent blackout went on for nine hours on Sunday evening in Rodmell village, near Lewes.

Pauline Cherry, of Newhaven Road, said: "I've lived here 34 years and it's getting worse."

Sunday's power cut, which lasted from 6.23pm until about 3am, was blamed on a swan flying into overhead power cables near Northease.

Seeboard said it had inspected the line and replaced suspect connections.

Peter Hargreaves, customer operations manager, said the company was planning to refurbish the line between Rodmell and Lewes but was unable to say when the work would start.

In a letter to Mrs Cherry he admitted he understood how power cuts had affected daily life, especially as there had been so many this winter. He said:"You have every right to expect a better service and we are very keen to provide it."

Lewes MP Norman Baker called on Seeboard to give an explanation for the problem and to fix it after the last power cut in January, which left more than 200 people without power.

The MP had a meeting with the company, which he said was positive.

He said: They spent an hour in my office, brought their plans and went through all the problems and how they intended to deal with them. There was a different reason for each power cut.

"I believe they are doing quite a lot and I was pleased with their response.

"Hopefully this will mean an end to the problems."