DOZENS of rural homes across East Lothian are still without power four days after Storm Arwen devastated the coastline.

Salvation Army mobile units have been operating in the countryside in areas where people are in their fourth day without power.

East Lothian Council said that there were still people cut off from their electricity supply in Oldhamstocks, Thurston, Lennoxlove, Seacliff and between Torness and Cockburnspath.

A spokesperson said that SP Energy Networks had people in the stranded areas today offering support.

The council is now preparing to deal with the damage caused to buildings and trees, which have come down.

At John Muir Country Park, hundreds of trees were toppled by the storm.

In Dunbar town centre, roads were closed as falling debris from buildings sparked concern, with emergency services rushing to the scene following Friday’s storm.

The council asked building owners and residents to check their properties for any damage such as loose slates.

And they appealed for understanding as they took on the task of clearing up.

A spokesperson said: “There has been significant tree damage in and around communities, as well as in rural and coastal areas.

“Amenity teams have been out and about to lead on the clear-up but, given the large number of fallen trees on public land and highways, it will take quite some time to clear.

“We are grateful to people, including local people who may have fallen trees on their land, for their patience and understanding.”

The storm left thousands of people in East Lothian without mobile phone signal for 48 hours after it knocked out a local mast covering the Haddington area of the county.

On Sunday, the Salvation Army sent its mobile unit to Athelstaneford to provide hot water and drinks for residents, as well as chargers for handheld devices.

The mobile unit was in Bolton yesterday and remained supporting families who were cut off.

The council thanked the organisation for its support.

Meanwhile, ScottishPower said it has been in touch with residents who were left without power and arrangements were in place, from offering to find them hotel accommodation to reimbursing them £10 for every hot meal bought.

Generators were fitted for customers who were deemed most in need, as work to restore the main power supplies continued.