Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is investing £350,000 to upgrade the electricity network in Muir of Ord and local surrounding area.

Engineers from SSEN started major work to upgrade the network this month to strengthen the main overhead line that supplies electricity to the village.

The £350,000 investment includes the replacement of over 300 wood poles, maintenance of the network and carrying out extensive tree cutting in the area.

This work will improve the resilience of the network and minimise the risk of power cuts.

Engineers will use mobile generators to keep the period of disruption to a minimum as they carry out the work to provide greater protection to the network. The programme is expected to take around 12 weeks to complete.

Colin Pirie, Head of Region for the Highlands and Islands said: "Our priority is to provide a safe and secure electricity supply for our customers and we understand how important this is for some of the more remote communities in our region."

"As our engineers work to upgrade and strengthen the network in the area, we will also use this as an opportunity to carry out essential maintenance and cut trees and vegetation away from overhead power lines. Mobile generation will be used to minimise disruption to our customers but I'd ask any customers in vulnerable situations who may be concerned about any impact of these works to join our Priority Services Register, where 24 hour support is available for those who need extra help."

Customers can qualify for SSEN's Priority Services Register if they are dependent on electricity for home medical care, have a chronic illness or short term medical condition, are disabled, over the age of 60, have special communication needs, have a child under the age of five at home or for any other reason may not cope in a power cut.

For more information on SSEN's Priority Services Register, please visit ssen.co.uk/PriorityServices/, or to register call 0800 294 3259 or 0800 316 5457 to register using a text phone.