Power has been out all day at Sutton train station, lumbering Oyster card customers with potentially huge charges.

Southern Rail, who operate the station, have failed to respond to multiple press queries requesting an explanation for the blackout, which has struck out much of the site's lighting.

UK Power Networks, who maintain electricity lines and cables across parts of London, have a crew at the station working to get the power back on.

A spokesperson from the firm tweeted they are striving to have the electricity back up and running by 7pm tonight.

Southern Rail staff based at the station have told commuters workmen are to blame, claiming they accidently damaged an underground cable in front of the entrance.

These reports are yet to be offically confirmed by Southern Rail.

Oyster customers pay for their journeys by pressing their card on one pad to mark the beginning of the trip, and on another pad at their final destination.

The blackout has rendered the station's entrance and exit barriers completely out of service, meaning Oyster carriers coming into Sutton have been unable to register the end of their journeys.

Seperate pads at the station for Oyster card use are also ineffective as a result of the power cut.

Your Local Guardian:

Oyster customers have been hardest hit by the power failure

There has been no electricity at the station since at least 8am this morning, but Southern Rail has failed to confirm the precise moment it was cut off.

Oyster customers who have been overcharged can claim a refund. Click the link for more details: http://bit.ly/1njiev1