A tattoo session was cut short when nearby construction workers caused a series of prolonged power cuts.

Blackouts have affected a score of businesses near a multi million pound university development as work on Edinburgh University's new informatics research centre plays havoc with the areas power lines.

The customer's tattoo was only half finished when power failed late last week. The man was then taken to the parlour's sister shop on Cockburn Street for the work to be completed.

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A worker at the tattoo parlour said: "When it first happened we had to turn away ten people, and since that I reckon another 20 have come in during a blackout."

He added: "It seems as if the grid can't handle the electricity being generated from the new buildings, and that's before thousands of PCs go in, so who knows what will happen then."

Neighbouring shops have also been affected by the power cuts and owners claim they are losing significant revenue from due to the nearby works.

Scottish Power sources said it was not unusual for major developments to affect surrounding electricity supply, either when it is first "switched on" or when there is digging and other engineering work going on near cables.

A Scottish Power spokesman said: "We have got a fault in that area. We are doing some major work at the moment and network checks which will hopefully rectify the problem."

(DW/JM)