Latest: Hundreds of North Yorkshire homes face a third day without gas

Around 600 homes in Helmsley, Nawton and Beadlam were cut off on Friday afternoon when a gas main collapsed during routine repairs.

Northern Gas Networks say supply has now been restored at 148 properties and engineers are visiting customers to reconnect their homes.

The damaged gas main was repaired at 3pm on Saturday after resources and specialist equipment was drafted in from across the network.

“We need to carry out essential safety checks at each and every property before switching homes back on," said Ian Cooper, customer operations support manager. “We have brought in engineers from across the region and they are now going door-to-door to reconnect customers. If no-one is home, we will leave a card, so please contact us as soon as you return.

“We apologise for the inconvenience this has caused and thank customers for their patience and cooperation.”

Catering facilities have been set up at the Methodist Church on Ashdale Road in Helmsley, while a care team has been appointed to visit vulnerable people at home.

“We continue to ask customers in the vicinity who have not lost supply to limit their own use of gas to prevent further loss of supply to themselves and their neighbours," said Mr Cooper.

"This is a temporary measure until such time that our engineers can rectify the supply issues.

“We are also working with engineers from Northern Powergrid who are closely monitoring the local electricity network and any potential knock-on increases in demand while residents are without their gas supply."