A power firm will press ahead with disruptive maintenance work after being branded a "bully".

UK Power Networks will shut down electricity to around 150 properties in Waltham, Sole Street and Crundale on Wednesday.

The announcement came today after Robert Taylor, an award-winning pub landlord, blasted the firm for costing him custom.

Outspoken Mr Taylor, 37, who runs The Compasses Inn in Crundale, near Canterbury, yesterday questioned why the firm can't carry out the works overnight.

A spokesman told Kentonline today: "UK Power Networks will be carrying out essential tree trimming near high voltage overhead lines on Wednesday, February 6 in the Waltham, Sole Street and Crundale area of Kent.

"To carry out the work safely, power will be turned off to around 150 properties – those affected have been notified and advised about timings for the work."

Mr Taylor fears outage at his Shepherd Neame pub will turn customers away from the venue.

He added: "It seems to me like bully tactics, it is as if the big companies don't want to help the smaller companies.

"We're a small company and pride ourselves on being professional and if we have to cancel bookings people will think we are unprofessional."

His tweet to the firm on Friday attracted complaints from a string of businesses who said they had suffered similar treatment.

One included Great Oaks Small School in Minster, which teaches autistic children.

Worker Jackie Neve wrote: "UK Power Networks informed our school that on February 7 we would not have power.

"I rang to double check and they confirmed we made a decision to close the school.

"Today they said they made a mistake.

"Our children are autistic, we also cancelled their school afternoon trip,

"An apology is not good enough."

UK Power Networks said it is investing £6 million in tree trimming across the South East in 2018/19 to keep tree branches away from power lines and help prevent power cuts.