THE company delivering gas to homes and business across Huddersfield has won an award for the way it gives notice of mains replacement work.

Northern Gas Networks will spend more than £60m in replacing gas mains across Yorkshire, the north-east and Cumbria.

Every home and business affected by the works will get a detailed leaflet explaining why the work is necessary.

The brochure was judged to be the best new leaflet in the north-east region of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations annual awards.

It beat two other shortlisted entries to win a gold award in the New PRide competition, which was presented at a ceremony in Gateshead.

John O’Grady, director of communications, said it was vital Northern Gas Networks worked closely with people whose lives and businesses could be affected by gas mains works.

“We have a massive workload to replace all the ageing metal gas mains close to homes and businesses premises across northern England,” he said.

“By giving detailed information ahead of the start we find that people are more accepting of the works.”

He said: “The company doesn’t deliberately mean to delay traffic and close footpaths, but if it is the only way in which we can safely replace our assets –Šand allow 2.5m users to have the constant access to a gas supply which they expect – then I am afraid that’s what we have to do.”

Another leaflet produced by the company, advising youngsters not to play near roadworks, won a Silver award in the CIPR’s Yorkshire and Lincolnshire regional awards Šlast week.