IT IS an idea which has given a boost to safety and added £10,000 to a Chandler's Ford based gas worker's bank account.

Transco's network support officer Greg Rowe has been awarded this Best Idea's Big Saver's Award as part of the gas pipeline operator's national suggestion award scheme.

The scheme allows employees to unlock their potential and suggest ways Transco can improve business.

These ideas can relate to all areas of Transco's operations - improving safety and environmental issues or improving work methods and techniques.

Greg designed a system for inclusion in a suite of computer programmes that enables network analysts to utilise more accurate information on gas flow pressures in the pipeline network.

He said: "I was thrilled to receive this award. I spent a lot of time on my laptop at home creating the system to identify gas capacities and provide the means to calculate the maximum amount of gas Transco are able to transport around the pipeline network."

This software is now part of the "toolbox" suite of programmes used by the network designers nationally within Transco. Greg added: "This has helped Transco to ensure a safe and secure gas supply by providing more accurate information,"

Pictured left to right are: Transco's South of England network director Jeremy Bending, Greg, and head of operations Steve Featherstone.