A pair of power line workers have scooped a top award for their efforts restoring power to people’s homes.

UK Power Networks duo Dan Murrell from Halling, near Rochester, and Dale Carroll, from Ditton, near Aylesford, received the accolade at the company’s annual awards in London.

After qualifying last year Dan, 24, formed a partnership with 35-year-old Dale, an experienced linesperson who describes Dan as a “sponge”, soaking up the skills of a life working on the lines.

Dan said: “I found it hard receiving the award because I haven’t been here that long and everyone I work with is good at their job, works hard and deserves this recognition.

“I’m proud to accept this from my peers, it’s so nice they appreciate the work we do.”

The awards recognise unsung heroes who work outdoors in all weathers to keep power flowing.

Dale added: “We get job satisfaction from getting the power back on.

“It’s nice to be appreciated, but overwhelming. We have a good team, and share the same ethos, so to be singled out is a privilege.

“When we’re repairing a fault on the network, we want to get customers back on supply, so there is that desire to get the job done and when you achieve it there is a feeling of job satisfaction. It’s our duty.”

The pair work across a wide area, from Orpington, Dartford and Higham and Tunbridge Wells in Kent, to as far afield as Eastbourne in East Sussex.

They work on repairs, maintenance and upgrades, as well as new connections.