A FAMILY gathering had an impromptu 'fireworks display' as overhead power cables "sparked and popped" over their garden.

Marie Mynott and her husband were entertaining their two sons and five grandchildren when they noticed flashing outside.

Mrs Mynott, 54, of Hagleys Green, Crowcombe, said no-one took much noticed of it when they first noticed the lighting display on Saturday afternoon.

"We thought it was either traffic or the sun shining through the trees," she said.

"After the children left, we went to bed and it was still flashing.

"Then my husband woke me up at 6.30am on Sunday and said, 'You want to have a look at this'.

"I looked out and the power lines were sparking and popping and everything.

"The power lines running through the trees had detached or were broken and next we saw the wire fall to the hedge below and another one snapped as well."

The Mynotts did not lose their electricity supply, although residents in three neighouring bungalows were left without power.

"It was a fantastic light show," said Mrs Mynott.

"One of my neighbours had rung the police and Western Power Distribution came out.

"It was terrifying to think the lines could have fallen onto the road. It was lucky it had been raining because otherwise the trees could have caught alight.

"And what if it had been fine and the grandchildren had gone out to play in the garden as they usually do?"

WDP said it restored power and fixed the problem on Sunday morning.