What a turkey! Thousands without gas on Christmas Day... but at least there'll be no snow

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 8:34 PM on 24th December 2008

Up to 8,000 homes are still without gas because of a mains rupture on Monday evening - leaving them unable to roast their turkeys - but at least there will be no snow on Christmas Day.

The ruptured gas main had affected gas supplies to 18,000 homes in the Rossendale area of Lancashire, 12,000 of which have now had their gas restored.

An army of 300 engineers is working around the clock to try and restore gas supplies to the remaining homes, and so allow thousands of people to roast their turkeys.

The mild weather had last-minute shoppers out in Newcastle upon Tyne

The ruptured gas main set light to an overhead power cable in Rawtenstall, which knocked out electricity to 30,000 homes in the area. United Utilities restored electricity supplies last night.

Jon Butterworth, National Grid's director of operations, said today: "We're saying our target is later this evening. Everybody who is in will be connected.

"If they're not in there's not a lot we can do about it. We're doing everything possible to get them turned on."

Pat Holden, 63, of Rawtenstall, a former shoe factory worker, had her gas switched back on today.

She said: "The first night was a bit miserable because it was really cold.

"It were a godsend when the electric came back on because that meant I've got a microwave, toaster and kettle and I've been boiling hot water to keep clean."

Thousands in the Rossendale area of Lancashire will struggle to make the traditional Christmas lunch unless their gas supply is restored

For residents still waiting to be connected, at least the weather on Christmas Day is forecast to be mild.

Tomorrow will be a dry day across the whole of the UK, with some sunny spells according to the Press Association weather centre.

But many areas will be stuck beneath a blanket of low cloud, winds will be fairly light.
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