A NORTH-EAST road was closed for most of the weekend while workers fixed an underground gas leak.

Two people were moved out of their homes as a precaution, in Middridge, between Newton Aycliffe and Shildon, in County Durham, when the leak was reported at 9pm on Friday. They were allowed back after checks.

A spokeswoman for gas supplier Transco said last night that the leak had posed no danger to residents.

She said: "There was a small leak to a joint under the road and we had to bring in a digger to reach it.

"We asked police to close the road in Middridge Row while the work was carried out. There was a smell of gas because it disperses quickly into the air but there was never any risk to the public."

The road was reopened late yesterday afternoon.