SQUIRRELS AND COWS have been blamed for the recent spate of power cuts in Raglan. Long-suffering residents had to put up with five power cuts during March of this year.

Bristol-based monopoly supplier  Western Power Distribution (WPD) initially said the cuts were due to squirrels interfering with the network. This was followed by an explanation involving swaying trees hitting the lines.

WPD's head of operations south, Phil Davies, explained: "Squirrels bite through power lines and we also have problems with cows who rub against the poles.