Brothers from Portsmouth pick up award for their work commitment and epic 120 mile commute

Brian and Tony Horsted, from Fratton, picked up the Linesperson Duo of The Year award from UK Power Networks for their dedication and exceptional customer service.

The pair have spent years travelling from their homes in Portsmouth to their jobs based at the firm’s Southend depot.

Brian, 57, joined the electrical industry 30 years ago as a linesman’s mate then saw a job that he thought would suit his older brother Tony, 58, around 17 years ago.

Following an interview Tony started as a linesman on the same team.

The brothers now work across most of Essex but can be called to homes anywhere in the east of England to fix power supplies or upgrade a customer’s electrical connection.

The brothers are two of nine children. They have made many friends in Essex through staying in bed and breakfast accommodation over the years.

Brian said: ‘We’ve made a lot of friends in Essex by lodging here, there’s a good group in Witham. They also come down to Portsmouth and we have nights out.

‘They are friendly people, they come and see us and we go on holiday with them, it’s a big circle of friends.’

As for working with his brother, there’s plenty of brotherly love.

Brian said: ‘We have always got on well and been close, Tony is only 18 months older than me.’

The team were praised for regularly visiting customers before their shifts to see if any issues can be resolved before the work begins.

Brian says he makes sure he’s always on site by 7.30am to assess the work that needs doing. Often that means driving the well-known route up the A3, M25 and along the A127 very early in the morning.

But, the duo are just as delighted to be returning home to Portsmouth on a Thursday evening where Brian has six children and Tony has three, plus in normal times there is the joy of going to Fratton Park to see their football team Portsmouth FC.

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Brian said he does it because he has always loved the job, especially if he’s busy and time passes quickly.

They were both amazed at being nominated and shocked when they won.

‘We were absolutely amazed when we won,’ said Brian.

Basil Scarsella, chief executive of UK Power Networks, said: ‘Keeping power flowing is important and when the lights go off or a customer contacts us to request any service it’s important they are treated really well by us.

‘It’s the simple adage that we should treat our customers like we would like to be treated ourselves.

‘Brian, Tony and other colleagues are doing a good job because UK Power Networks is the best performing network for customer service in the UK.’

UK Power Networks keeps power flowing for 8.3 million homes, businesses, schools and hospitals across the south east, London and east of England.

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