Gas pipeline business Transco is investing more than £60m in its gas supply network in the North and Yorkshire.

The company plans to replace almost 250 miles of iron gas pipes with plastic ones across the North-East, Cumbria and Yorkshire.

Around £35m will be spent on replacing 136 miles of pipeline in the North-East and Cumbria, with the remainder of the money being spent on replacing 113 miles of pipeline in Yorkshire.

The investment is aimed at tackling the problems of aging gas pipes and is part of a 30-year long national programme.

Ruth Thompson, newly appointed Transco director for North and Yorkshire, said: "Around 45 per cent of the gas pipes in the ground are iron and many are years old.

"The new polyethylene pipes that will replace them will have a lifespan of more than 80 years."

She added: "Transco operates the safest gas transportation system in the world and this programme of investment will ensure that it retains pole position."

Last year, Transco spent more than £5m every week on replacement pipes.

Following discussions with the Health and safety Executive all iron pipes within 30 metres of building nationwide will be replaced with plastic ones within 30 years.

The total cost of the programme is estimated at £15bn, with around 3,000 new jobs being created as a result.

Mrs Thompson added: "The immediate concerns of most people will be the disruption that the amount of work will create.

"We will work closely with the police and local authorities to ensure that the inconvenience caused to residents, road users and businesses is kept to a minimum.