RESIDENTS broke from tradition to throw a party for workers who dug up their road.

While disruption caused by building and engineering work normally provokes discontent, Brandon residents were so happy with the conduct of men from Lumsden and Carroll Construction that they threw a party for them.

Despite spending five weeks repairing drains and a road, the builders managed to cause minimal disturbance.

Kevin Starr, finishing foreman for the County Durham firm of contractors, said: "We were called in by Northumbrian Water to replace the existing drainage in the back lane to the homes and to reinstate the lane.

"The lane divides the houses and their gardens and garages opposite, so it was very important that we kept disruption down to an absolute minimum.

"We put 14 of our men on the job to dig out the drains and then reinstall new services at the correct levels.

"We then reinstalled the road, manholes, gullies, footpaths and kerbs to complete the job."

Local resident Dr Carrie Pascall said: "Northumbrian Water's response to our concerns was excellent and while none of us welcomed the thought of the coming disruption, once work started, we were very pleasantly surprised at the expertise and attitude of the men.

"They were very polite and couldn't do enough for us to minimise any disruption. We arranged the party as a thank-you - everyone moans about builders, but we've got nothing but praise for these men."