'˜Do your frack research'

Campaign group Frack Free Warsop called the meeting at Warsop Town Hall this week, to raise awareness of the issue and the potential plans for fracking in the area.

Dennis May, who works in industrial health and safety, spoke at the meeting, advising those who attended to do their “own research into fracking” as he outlined the process.

Surveys are now being carried out in the area to assess the land’s suitability for fracking, where shale gas is extracted through “hydraulic fracturing”.

Mr May said: “Seventy per cent of Nottinghamshire is licensed for fracking.”

He explained how shale gas is trapped in permeable rock below the coal seam.

He said: “They break up the rock with explosive charges or they force fracking fluid, which includes various chemicals into the wells.”

Ms Tooley-Okonkwo, who visited Warsop especially for the meeting, said: “I am quite proud to be here protecting this earth. To be here and be none violent. If we don’t do something today it will be a terrible place to live in.”

Members of the public at the meeting expressed concern about the fracking process, as Ineos Shale carried out surveys in the area.

Ineos has said it has “plans to develop the nation’s shale gas resources across a 250 sq kilometre area of the East Midlands”, covering parts of Edwinstowe, Warsop and Shirebrook.

A company spokesman said: “The data from this extensive survey will provide a clear image of the underground rock structure and assist us in determining our future drilling activities.”

One person at the meeting said he was concerned about abandoned underground mines being disturbed by and tremors made by explosives.

Ineos has said: “Fracking can induce small tremors deep underground.

“However, these are very rare and are too small to

pose a risk to property or people.

“Fracking actually carries a lower risk of seismic activity than coal mining.”