THE power cut ruined centenary celebrations at HSBC on the Bullring but ironically took them back 100 years to the days of candlelight.

A disappointed manager, Lesley Fallows, said staff were left with no customers, the bank had to close for security reasons, but there was an extremely large birthday cake that wouldn't keep!

"We are all going to get fat here eating cake," said Lesley.

"It's been very disappointing for us and our customers. Some staff have gone to our branches at Craven Arms and Bishops Castle. The rest of us are working by candlelight - just as they did 100 years ago."