Slow process of switching gas back on in Oundle has begun

National Grid has begun restoring the gas supply to parts of Oundle - more than two days after the entire town found itself cut off.

A spokesman said vulnerable people were being visited as a priority and 70 engineers were out in the south of the town.

Homes to the south of New Road and Pavillion Road will be the first to have their supply reinstated with "the bulk" of the area back on by the end of today (Saturday).

Work will begin in the north of Oundle this afternoon although the network cannot yet say exactly when homes can be expected to have their gas back on.

Residents are being urged to make sure someone is at home when engineers come round - and have been told not to try to do it themselves.

National Grid employees will all carry ID badges and householders should check them before allowing anyone into their homes.

Oundle first lost its gas supply early on Thursday and National Grid found it had been caused by a fault on a piece of equipment which regulated the gas pressures to the town.

The problem was fixed later that day but engineers had to visit each house to switch meters off before they could begin restoring the supply.