The Amber Room Hair Salon in Croydon Road, Caterham, was packed with local traders on Friday morning, angry with EDF Energy because of repeated power cuts that have been costing them valuable business. The meeting was called after Amber Room boss, Ian Schofield, contacted MP Peter Ainsworth to complain about the service they were receiving from the power company.

Unexpectedly, four representatives of EDF also turned up, and - as if by magic - work started on replacing the malfunctioning cables.

Peter Ainsworth comments:

"I congratulate Ian Schofield on seizing the initiative and getting in touch. Local traders have lost many thousands of pounds through frequent and unexpected power failures and EDF's performance has been simply unacceptable. It now looks as though the company is getting to work to put things right. Together with the local community I will be watching progress with care. It is not encouraging that, half an hour after the EDF representatives left, the power went off yet again."