ENGINEERS and contractors spent most of Christmas carrying out maintenance on stretches of the region's rail network.

With minimal disruption to train services, they replaced a bridge deck at Bowesfield Lane, Stockton, and 16 track beams at King Edward Bridge, Newcastle.

Regional director Richard Fenny said: "Network Rail is continuing its task of rebuilding the railway and it is a credit to all involved over the holiday period that this massive programme of work was completed on time and with very little disruption to train services."