THE Manx Electricity Authority will help Scottish Power restore power to thousands of homes in Scotland following severe weather in the country.

A call for assistance was received from NEWSAC (the North East West South Area Consortium) to aid Scottish Power following severe gale force winds, some of up to 102mph, in the area.  

Five overhead linesmen, and their vehicles, will leave the Island this evening (Wednesday) to aid efforts to restore power in around 17,000 homes. 

Eddie Lowey MLC, the chairman of the MEA, said: "It is pleasing to see MEA playing its part in fostering good relations with the adjacent Isles, on behalf of the Isle of Man, with this reciprocal agreement. 

"We have ourselves been assisted in the past during the severe storms of 2005 when many Manx customers were without supply."

The Manx Electricity Authority has responded to calls for assistance before, in February 2007 and 2010.