A TYNEDALE contractor has been recognised in an international prestigous award ceremony.

Thompsons of Prudhoe won the Contractor of the Year award at the World Demolition Awards in Toronto, Canada earlier this month.

The company won the award due to its work to clear the BOS Plant site at the former Redcar Steelworks site in Teesside.

The multi-million project involved one of the largest explosive blowdowns conducted in the UK in the last 75 years.

The award was given to the team after they delivered the project ahead of programme, on budget and with zero accidents.

Operations director, Tom Koerner said: “Our team delivered one of Europe’s largest demolition schemes with incredible skill, quality service and attention to detail at every stage - we’re all so proud to see this work recognised on a global scale.

“Clearing a 4,500 acre site in less than two years was a complex and challenging project but our teams rose to the occasion and have delivered something quite outstanding.

“Aside from seeing 105,000 tonnes of steel brought down within 30 seconds as part of the planned explosive element on this job, we also recycled more than 98% of the demolished materials – an incredible achievement for the whole team.”

Mayor of Tees Valley, Ben Houchen, commented on the recent award win: "Clearing the Redcar Steelworks site has been a mammoth task and one that required the best of the best, which is why we brought in Thompsons of Prudhoe. This award is a testament to their tireless work on the site to help us make progress.

“Our plan is to transform the Teesworks site at pace, but we want it to be done to the highest standards to attract the biggest and best investment from across the world.

“A huge well done to Thompsons who truly deserve this international award for their incredible work in delivering a demolition that was on time and on budget and - most importantly – was done safely for both workers and the public."

Site owner and investor, Martin Corney, said: “Thompsons of Prudhoe have been outstanding to work with over the over the last few years and have supported us from the very beginning.

“The sheer volume of work they have achieved in the shortest of timescales is quite remarkable. To witness the impressive 105,000te BOS Plant cathedral structure being brought down to the ground in one of the UK’s biggest-ever demolition explosions was quite something!

“We thank Thompsons for their hard work, effort and professionalism shown throughout the project. We quite simply could not have achieved the same successful outcomes without them.”