Northern Gas Networks, the gas distributor for the North of England, has unveiled a mural on a bridge in Skinningrove to mark two years since severe weather washed the original bridge away, severing the gas supply to the entire town.

Children from Freeborough Academy in Brotton joined NGN’s community artist, Mick Hand, last week to reveal the 15 metre mural that they helped to create during art classes at the school.

The giant piece of art depicts how the local community came together to help engineers from NGN as they worked around the clock to restore the gas supply to customers in the village as quickly as possible in September 2013.

Mick Hand, Community Artist for Northern Gas Networks said: “We’ve got to know the community really well over the past couple of years so it was great to work with the local school to give something back to the village.

“The children have done a fantastic job creating a really eye-catching mural that tells the events of 2013 brilliantly.”

Heather Goodwill, Art Teacher at Freeborough Academy said: “It was lovely to see the kids looking really engaged when they worked with Mick to create this amazing mural. It’s been a great opportunity for our students to work on a piece of public art and I felt extremely proud when the children unveiled it today!”

Councillor Barry Hunt, Redcar and Cleveland Council said: “When the bridge collapsed in 2013, there was a real team effort from Northern Gas Networks and the local community to restore the gas supply and from Carillion to rebuild the bridge. As engineers worked through the night, local residents came together and made them pasties and sandwiches to keep them fueled!

“We’ve forged a really close relationship with Northern Gas Networks and when I suggested doing a mural to put on the bridge they were more than happy to help out. I think we can all be really proud of creating something that will contribute to the history of Skinningrove for years to come.”

NGN believes in getting actively involved in local communities and forging lasting relationships with people living in the area in which it operates.

To find out more about NGN’s Community Promises, please visit http://www.northerngasnetworks.co.uk/community/.

Anyone that smells gas or suspects Carbon Monoxide should call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. This line is in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.