Shoppers descend into outcry as major supermarkets experience power outage.

Confusion swept Walney Retail Park as shoppers discovered the complex had experienced a blackout.

Bosses at Asda, Argos, Home Bargains, Matalan and Pound Stretcher have been forced to close their doors early after they lost power at 3.10pm yesterday afternoon.

A spokesman at Asda left a note on the door, which read: "Sorry closed due to no power. Sorry for any inconvenience."

Sara Benton, a disgruntled shopper, said: "I was in there and next minute the lights went out and the tannoy said will you please vacate the supermarket.

Paula Goodwin, another irritated customer, said: "I believe it could be from the roadworks going on around Tesco.

"I have to wait for my next bus now which is going to be another half an hour."

One woman expressed her outrage at having to attend Aldi instead of her usual supermarket.

Hindpool Road shops: Tesco, Pets At Home and Iceland equally underwent a power outage around 3pm yesterday afternoon.

Customer, Jill Balsborough, was shopping in Tesco during the blackout.

She said: "The lights just flashed off and went straight back on but all the tills had gone down.

"Although it was only for a few minutes, I couldn't really carry on with my shopping."

An Electricity North West spokesman said: "83 customers have been left without power.

"Staff are on site and a restoration time of 5pm has been estimated."

An underground cable fault was said to be the cause and power was restored to the shopping complex by 4.10pm.

A spokesman said it was not related to ongoing works at North Road.

It is understood the stores have now re-opened.