Compensation over gas explosion

Most homes were reconnected in time for Christmas Day

Compensation forms are being sent to Lancashire residents who were left without gas before Christmas when a mains pipe exploded.

About 18,000 homes in Rossendale were left without supplies from 22 December for several days. The cause of the blast is under investigation.

National Grid's director of operations Jon Butterworth said Rossendale's residents were "absolutely fantastic".

"We can't thank them enough for the help they gave our engineers," he said.

The initial explosion set light to an overhead power cable at Holme Lane, in Rawtenstall, affecting supplies in Bacup, Waterfoot, Rawtenstall, Newchurch, Rossendale and Crawshawbooth.

More than 300 National Grid engineers were drafted in from across the UK to restore supplies.

Tea and mince pies

In total, more than 60,000 individual visits were made to homes and businesses.

Mr Butterworth said: "Engineers reported that they were being offered sandwiches and cups of tea and sherry and mince pies as they made their rounds, and many people were grateful and sympathetic that the engineers were sacrificing their own Christmas plans to get everyone re-connected.

"We were fortunate to be able to get the vast majority of homes back on gas for Christmas but would like to take the opportunity to apologise for the disruption we inevitably caused to people and their plans for the festive season."

Letters have been sent out explaining the arrangements for the payment of compensation.

National Grid and Health and Safety Executive are carrying out an investigation of the incident.