SCORES of diners in Southampton had their lunch hours ruined by a power cut caused by careless contractors.

Yesterday's black-out rendered restaurants useless in Oxford Street, Canute Road, Ocean Village and Terminus Terrace between 12.45 and 2pm.

Restaurant owner Manny Yazdanparast was furious.

He was forced to return money to ten customers who were already in his Itzza Pizza restaurant on Canute Road when he lost power.

"They were annoyed because after waiting ten minutes in my restaurant they did not have time to go anywhere else.

"It was embarrassing. I wish I hadn't bothered opening the doors. I phoned up the electric company and they said I would not be paid any compensation.

"I pay £200 a month for electricity and then I lose at least £100 in one lunch break. It's not right."

Several other restaurants had to stop serving, including Kutis and Poppadom Express, both based on Oxford Street.

A spokesman for Kutis said 20 to 25 customers had been turned away. "They could not eat in the dark," he said.

Southern Electric said the fault was caused by a third party contractor who cut through a high-voltage cable.

Julian Reeves stressed that compensation was never paid out for cuts lasting less than 18 hours. But he said he would pass on details of restaurateurs to the contractors in question if they wished to try and reclaim costs.

Mr Reeves can be contacted on 0870 9000 410.