Cabling work in Wootton Bassett is causing more controversy after contractors cut through an electricity line.

Residents in Longleaze have been left in the dark after the blunder by ntl which has left four street lamps without power.

The town council says other electricity cables have been cut along with telephone lines and gas mains and has described the situation as "ridiculous".

It is calling on the Department of the Environment, Transport and Regions to give it more powers to regulate cable companies who come into the town.

Like Swindon, Wootton Bassett has been plagued by cabling work and almost every street has been dug up.

In the last few months, 20 telecommunication companies have carried out work there and two more are set to come into the town.

But the council has no say over their work once the companies are issued with a licence by the Department of Trade and Industry they can pick and choose where and when they lay cables as long as they give one month's notice.

Residents are already angry about the disruption the work is causing.

Last week, the Evening Advertiser reported the concerns of Rosemary Wells and Tony Guilfoyle who live in Shakespeare Road.

They have had trenches covered in plastic outside their homes for more than a week.

For the residents in Longleaze who have also been living with roadworks, the latest power problem is the last straw.

They now have to wait for Southern Electricity to come and repair the electricity line as ntl are not able to fix it.

Susan Holwell, 56, who lives in Longleaze, said: "It is not fair to cut these cables and leave us in the dark. We don't know when the lights are going to be fixed now.

"All this work creates dirt and mess and is so unnecessary.

"It looks like the pavement is going to have to be dug up again now to repair the electricity line which is right across the front of our driveways."

Johnathan Bourne, clerk to Wootton Bassett Town Council, said he has received several complaints.

"The cable has been cut on this road and we have had several reports of incidents involving other cut cables. In fact companies have gone through telephone lines and gas mains as well," he said.

"We are very concerned. The town council has made representations right to the Department of the Environment, Transport and Regions because it is not just that one cable company can come in and do this, it is one cable company after another.

"We have no powers to force them to go or to use the same trench. It is an absolutely ridiculous situation to be in."

Vicki Keen from ntl said: "We have gone through a cable which we apologise for. The electricity board has been informed and will be fixing it as soon as possible."