A £151,000 scheme to help boost gas supplies to homes has been completed.
Engineers from United Utilities have replaced more than 800m of metallic main in Murton as part of a project on behalf of Northern Gas Networks.
The scheme involved replacing a section of medium pressure pipeline, which supplies gas to thousands of homes and businesses in Murton, Seaham and parts of Houghton-le-Spring.
United Utilities network officer Keith Hunter said the work had taken place in Church Lane and Knaresborough Road in the former mining community and marked the final piece of a jigsaw in the gas mains in the village.
"The completion of this project in Murton means that all gas pipes in the village are now made of plastic and will last a minimum of 80 years,'' said Mr Hunter.
Northern Gas Networks bought the region's 36,000km of gas mains from Transco in June and employs United Utilities to carry out day-to-day operations.
The scheme is part of a £69m investment programme which will see more than 552km of main replaced this year across the North.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article