Power cuts covering the CB1 to CB5 postcode areas have been disrupting the activities of both students and locals throughout the day, with disturbances have been recurring despite efforts to fix the fault.

The first blackouts (and ensuing library-panics) were sparked at about 11.30am today, while local businesses' loss of power is believed to have affected a further 2,480 customers in the city centre.

UK Power Networks have claimed that the drama was caused by a fault on a high voltage underground cable.

“Our library alarm whirred incessantly for 45-minutes while about 50 of us were trying to get some work done,” complained one Caius law student. “Not what you need to soothe that Cindie’s hangover!”

Although it was claimed power had been completely restored by 1pm, many colleges are still suffering disruptions because of the need to reset out-of-sync electricity systems.