WORK has been continuing for many people employed by family-owned Tyne Valley company Thompsons of Prudhoe.

The construction outfit has kept as many sites open as it has been safe to do so, in order to continue serving the community.

The quarries have remained open throughout albeit with reduced staff and working hours.

Thompsons was founded in 1948 by William (Bill) and Margaret (Madge) Thompson, and is now chaired by their son John.

The company now employs more than 300 people and provides cash grants to several local good causes, including the Prudhoe Aged People’s Trust.

The chairman of the company, John Thompson Snr, was made an MBE in the New Year’s Honours list for his service to the local economy.

The majority of staff at the long-established business are continuing to work during the coronavirus outbreak, with the majority of office staff working from home.

Just last week, Thompsons has donated thousands of items of PPE to the NHS in the North East.

It provided 7,100 coveralls, as well as 70 disposable masks and 20 ori-nasal half masks along with 150 filters, as well as 6,000 pairs of disposable gloves.

The equipment went to all NHS trusts operating in the region.

John Thompson Snr, Thompsons, chairman, said the company was committed to supporting key workers and the local community any way they can.

He said: “We’re incredibly grateful for the keyworkers working hard and keeping us safe across the region.

“We’re proud to be involved with supporting them wherever we can.

“We have a mixture of projects ongoing at this time including works at the new high school in Hexham, which helps the community.

“The majority of our staff are continuing to work with additional control measures in place to comply with the Government’s guidelines for the construction industry.

“At our head office we’ve changed the route in and out to a one-way system, and we are making amendments to our business operations to make the transition back to normal as smooth as possible whilst protecting our employees wellbeing.”