CHAOS could hit rush hour traffic in the centre of Southampton this evening after a power failure struck a major set of traffic lights.

None of the traffic lights along and joining Havelock Road are currently working, and engineers are on the scene trying to find the cause of the problem.

It is the second time the traffic lights have stopped working today.

They first went out at 2.20am this morning but were fixed by 8.45am.

A council spokesman said: "The reason the traffic lights have gone out is because of a power failure.

"Southern Electric were first called this morning and an engineer was sent out.

"An electric jointer has also been down this afternoon and they are still trying to ascertain the source of the problem.

"We have been monitoring traffic, which is flowing well, are now awaiting and update on the situation."