FAMILIES across the South Gloucestershire area have been left without internet connection for two days. 

Dozens of homes in rural villages - including Easter Compton - which use network operator RunFibre have been affected. 

The outage was reported at around 4pm on Tuesday, March 12.

It is understood RunFibre covers around 3,500 properties across the area as well as North Wiltshire.

This includes homes in Hawkesbury Upton, Inglestone Common, Bradley Stoke, Over Lane, Little Stoke, Patchway, Charfield, Little Badminton, Sopworth and Falfield.

In an email to customers sent on Wednesday, a RunFibre spokesperson sent their “heartfelt apologies" about the disruption. 

They said a cable had been damaged and its engineers were working “tirelessly” to resolve the issue.

John Lucker, the landlord of the Fox Inn in Easter Compton, said the internet outage had impacted his business. 

“I know this is very much a modern lifestyle issue, however we rely so much on internet connection in our daily lives,” he said. 

“Many of the residents who subscribed to RunFibre work from home and have had to find alternative work locations. 

“Others have purchased unlimited data mobile sims to set up hotspots so they can gain internet access allowing things like children to do homework which is now set online and watch television. 

“Although this is not fast enough to keep our teenagers happy with gaming.

“It doesn't look like it is going to be resolved very quickly as in all fairness no vans have been spotted around the Easter Compton area yet.”

He added: “From my own business point of view our phones are internet based. 

“But we are lucky to be able to redirect to a mobile phone, our tills will work for a maximum of 30 days without internet access and our credit card machine has a built-in emergency SIM to allow transactions to be processed.”

RunFibre statement 

RunFibre have been approached for comment. 

They said in the email to customers: "We at RunFibre extend our heartfelt apologies for the potential disruption to your service you may currently be experiencing. 

“We fully recognise the seriousness of this situation and the potential inconvenience it may cause. 

“We assure you that updates will be provided as the investigation progresses and more information becomes available.

 “We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this situation may have caused and greatly appreciate your patience and understanding as we work tirelessly to resolve the issue. 

“We are committed to restoring your service to its full capacity as soon as physically possible and continuing to deliver the exceptional standard of excellence you expect from us.”

Update - internet returned to homes at 4.40pm on Thursday