THE behind the scenes team which helped to make the Commonwealth Games the UK's most successful multi-sport event ever has itself won a gold medal.

United Utilities spent two years ensuring their water and electricity services would be able to cope with the sudden influx of visitors from all over the world.

The Manchester Games were the equivalent of a million people landing suddenly - all wanting connection to utility services.

The firm, which took on projects worth more than £2m, has been named Team of the Year in the Utility Industry Achievement Awards.

At Sports City, the showcase venue for the 11-day event, United Utilities was responsible for the installation of the water, gas and electricity, as well as internal and external communications.

The work involved the fitting of 1.5km of water mains, 2.7km of electricity lines, 1.5km of gas mains and 4km of telecommunications ducts.

During the games, engineers, technicians and support staff worked unseen to ensure Manchester's time in the international spotlight was a success.

Jim Bell, United Utilities Commonwealth Games technical manager, said; "I didn't want us to be noticed during the games but it is great to be recognised in this way now."

Judges praised the company's advance preparation and the way its staff worked together on the event.

"They said we had gone that extra mile under a lot of pressure and shown what can be achieved when a team really pulls together," he added.