National Grid has been criticised for leaving its Warwick headquarters "lit up like Blackpool illuminations" just days after warning that blackouts may be needed this winter.

British households could be without power for up to three hours at a time with the company blaming Russia's invasion of Ukraine for creating "unprecedented turmoil and volatility" in the energy markets.

National Grid said the scenario was "unlikely" but has now come under fire from locals who spotted that the lights had been left on in every window of its near-empty Warwick Technology Park base on Monday night.

Peter Kearns, 49, who works in a nearby building, said: "The place is lit up like Blackpool illuminations and National Grid of all people should be setting an example to the rest of the country - now more than ever.

"Other offices make sure their lights are off when they leave for the day, so they should do the same, especially when they are talking about winter blackouts.

"They are telling us all how to prevent the National Grid from collapsing - while seemingly doing nothing at all to stop that happening themselves."

(Image via SNWS)

But National Grid said: "Our Warwick office houses operational control rooms for gas and electricity where engineers work in shift patterns 24/7 to keep the lights on and gas flowing across the United Kingdom.

"The building has many energy conserving measures including sensor controlled lighting which turns itself off automatically if a room is empty."

Prime Minister Liz Truss said last week: "What we're clear about is that we do have a good supply of energy in the UK, we're in a much better position than many other countries, but of course there's always more we can do and that's why I'm here working with our partners making sure we do have a secure energy supply into the future".

Elsewhere locally a Kenilworth Town Councillor has questioned whether it is appropriate to have Christmas lights in the streets this year as energy prices continue to rise.

Cllr Richard Dickson said: "I am conscious that we are in the middle of a cost of living crisis.

"When many people will be struggling to put the lights on at home we will be putting more on in the street. 

"I grant you that it might make people feel better.

"But I am mindful also that we are spending in total far more [on the lights] than we have donated to citizens' advice who are addressing very serious issues and mental health issues."

(image via SWNS)