Anti-fracking protests halt drilling in Balcombe

Energy company Cuadrilla is scaling back its exploratory oil drilling operation near Balcombe in West Sussex on police advice.

Up to 1,000 extra anti-fracking activists are expected to join existing demonstrations over the weekend.

The company said it was making the decision for safety reasons and planned to resume full operations soon.

The BBC's John Moylan said Cuadrilla had put the site into lock-down mode to ensure the safety of staff, villagers and protesters.

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