An engineer working for Central Networks, the electricity distribution company for central England, was forced to abandon work to restore power to homes in Gloucester when he was shot with an airgun.

He did not suffer any serious injury after being hit by the air rifle pellet on Sunday morning.

A Central Networks team was working to restore power to 1,139 customers after a fault on the overhead line in the Bixhead area of Gloucester.

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More than 930 customers had their power supply restored, when engineers were forced to abandon work for their own safety. The delay meant the remaining homes and businesses had power reconnected five hours later.

Phil Wilson, Customer Operations Manager with Central Networks, said: "We work day and night and in all weathers to keep people's lights on and keep their homes warm but when we're faced with something like this our engineers have to put their own safety first.

"I can't believe that anyone could be so stupid, not only could this person have left someone with very serious injuries, they also succeeded in prolonging a power cut for their neighbours."

A 24-year-old local man was given a caution for assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

(CD/JM)