More than 6,000 properties on Tyneside and County Durham have been left without electricity following an unexpected power cut.
Northern Powergrid has confirmed the unexpected blackout is affecting homes in the NE39, NE17, NE16, DH1, DH6, DH8 and DH9 postcode areas.
Thousands of residents are without power and engineers are currently working to rectify the issue.
It is hoped the electricity will be back by 5.30pm.
A Northern Powergrid spokesman said: "There is an unexpected power cut affecting 6,075 properties in the NE39, NE17, NE16, DH1, DH6, DH8 and DH9 areas.
"We currently estimate the power will be back on by 5.30pm.
"For this type of power cut we normally restore power to 90% of our customers in about 90 minutes."
