MP joins over 1,000 campaigners to protest fracking in Lancashire

Local MP Tim Farron joined over 1,000 campaigners on Saturday at Preston New Road near Blackpool to protest the decision to allow fracking to start on the site.

Earlier this month the energy company Cuadrilla was given the go-ahead to start work following a failed High Court bid by campaigners to block fracking due to safety concerns.

Tim said: "Climate change is by far the biggest issue we face.

"Shale gas is a fossil fuel and with the IPCC saying that we are on the cusp of irreversible climate change, what on earth are the Government doing bringing another fossil fuel into the system.

"Britain has the second biggest tidal range in the world - just think what we could do for our economy and jobs, as well as what it would do for the environment, if we concentrated on investing in tidal power instead.

"But this is also a massive affront to democracy. The local council rejected the planning application, but the Government overruled them - that is simply not on.

"As someone who represents a community that is not the subject of fracking, it's just as important that we stand shoulder to shoulder with one that is."