BUSINESSES in the heart of Bolton town centre lost thousands of pounds when they were forced to close because of a power cut.

A flood sparked a short in a major fuse box at the Bar Retro on Mealhouse Lane, plunging at least 10 other businesses into darkness for more than four hours.

Staff turned up for work on Friday morning to find premises without electricity with many being forced to close for the day.

Hairdressers at Tony and Guy on Deansgate said that some emergency electricity had been working earlier in the day which meant some clients could continue to have their hair cut and washed.

However, by 10.30am, they were plunged into complete darkness although some die-hard customers were willing to have their hair washed in cold water.

Manager Matthew Alexander said: "Our customers have been brilliant. There has been true Dunkirk spirit."

HSBC, The Yorkshire Building Society and the Woolwich Building Society on Mealhouse Lane were closed for security reasons. Chris Critchley from Wildings camera shop said: "We also had to close for security reasons, but we were able to take films from people on the door.

"We could make phone calls and do some paperwork, but we spent a lot of time twiddling our thumbs."

Mustafa Bolat, from the Town Cafe, said: "It was very frustrating because we couldn't cook any food and Friday is our busiest day."

A spokesman from Hilary Ann clothes shop said: "People were still welcome to come in, but they couldn't see any of the clothes in the dark."

David Barker, an electrical engineer from United Utilities, said: "It has caused a lot of disruption."