THE Marsden gas misery brought back bad memories of 12 years ago in three other Huddersfield areas.

Homes in Flockton, Grange Moor and Briestfield were left without gas for nine days in February 1994 - during heavy snow.

Supplies to 550 homes were cut after a high pressure water main burst near Grange Moor and flooded a gas main.

Supplies were slowly restored to the homes in next few days, but it was nine days before all were back on.

It was a nightmare repair job for the engineers, who had to brave blizzards at times.

At one point they pumped sludge out of three miles of mains, but hours later parts had filled back up.

Kirklees Council organised a massive emergency operation to supply shelter, food and portable heaters.

Around 2,700 hot meals were served by council staff.

Dozens of officials arranged heaters and extra road gritting along with snow ploughing to help gas workers during blizzards.

Emergency centres were set up at Grange Moor School and Flockton Parish Hall.

Up to 150 gas engineers battled to fix the problem around the clock.

By the end of the operation they had pumped 80,000 gallons of sludge from seven miles of pipe.

More than 100 vehicles were needed to take away all the silt.

Engineers said it was the worst problem they had ever had to solve.

Around 2,000 domestic gas appliances were damaged by water leaking into them.

Kirkburton parish councillor Jimmy Paxton said: "There was a lot of talk about compensation at the time, but I don't think anyone received anything."