Slightly roasted beef

A farmer in Devon plans to sue an electricity firm after some of his cows were apparently electrocuted by an 11kV surge from an unsafe cable.

Peter Banbury said he was concerned for the health of his animals, which collapsed to the floor and hit their heads when the cable electrified their shed during milking. Banbury and his wife were protected by rubber mats and rubber boots.

Western Power Distribution said an insulator on the mains power cable – located 150 metres from the milking parlour – was damaged during a lightning storm.