HUNDREDS of homes in Basingstoke were left without power on Christmas Day after the stormy weather.

By 8pm last night, 564 homes in the borough were still without power, down from 8,000 after the night of high winds and heavy rain on Monday, December 23.

Those affected included the Grange Nursing Home, in Vyne Road, Sherborne St John, where 26 residents had to be kept bed-bound for warmth until power was restored yesterday afternoon.

The number affected by the power cuts in Basingstoke by 10.13am this morning was 130.

Southern Electric Power Distribution said the cuts mainly affected those in the rural areas.

Stuart Hogarth, director of distribution, said: "We are confident that electricity will be restored to these homes today and we will not stop working until every customer is reconnected.

"Conditions continue to be challenging for our teams, particularly in areas where flooding makes access difficult."

Heavy rain led to flooded roads, including in Aldermaston and Old Basing, while the River Loddon burst its banks, causing the flooding of gardens in Sherfield-on-Loddon.

The bad weather is set to continue until the end of the year.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for rain in Hampshire today, with up to 20mm of rain falling.