A GP surgery in Hitchin is currently without power and has been unable to take calls for about 12 hours.

Portmill Surgery in Queen Street is not able to access patient records or make or receive telephone calls.

Dr Jehad Aldegather told the Comet he thinks building work taking place in the street is behind the power outage.

He said: “We have been left without electricity and cannot access patient records.

“Patients are going to back up and I know that they will blame us and I just want people to know it is not our fault.”

Staff came in early this morning to prepare for their 8am opening to find there was no electricity.

A spokeswoman for UK Power Networks said: “Engineers are working as quickly and as safely as possible to restore power to two customers in Queen Street, Hitchin, following an underground cable fault at 9.40pm yesterday.

“The fault was located overnight and we have had to isolate supplies to a further 10 properties this morning so the repair can be completed as soon as possible.

“We realise how difficult it can be to be without power and apologise for the inconvenience caused.”