Working to minimise the effect of power outage

Multi-agency partners in the Highlands and Islands are working together to minimise the impact of a power outage affecting Eday, Sanday, Stronsay and Shapinsay.

Scottish and Southern Energy have engineers working to identify and rectify the fault.

Generators are on their way to the islands to ensure that power is restored within the next 24 hours. Power should be restored to Shapinsay later this morning and to Sanday this afternoon. It is hoped that power can be restored to Eday and Stronsay later this evening or by tomorrow morning.

There may be some disruption to mobile phone networks in the area, however landlines and the 999 service are unaffected.

The Orkney local emergency coordinating group met this morning and are assessing the impact, which is believed to be minimal. They are working to identify any vulnerable people who may be affected by the power outage and ensure care plans are in place.