Energy firm abandons East Yorkshire test drilling site

A protest camp next to the drilling site was dismantled by bailiffs in January

A company that is searching for oil and gas in East Yorkshire has said it would stop drilling at one of its test sites.

Rathlin Energy said the decision to abandon the Crawberry Hill site was taken on "technical and commercial grounds".

The well, near Walkington, had attracted opposition, with protesters building a camp nearby.

The firm said it would continue exploratory drilling on another site near West Newton.

In a statement Rathlin Energy said the decision was based on information gained from each exploration well and "against the background of continuing depression in world energy prices, which currently show little sign of recovery".

"After thorough analysis, Rathlin has concluded that the costs associated with testing the Crawberry Hill well cannot be justified, relative to probability of commercial success."

Protesters have welcomed the news, with one group planning to gather at the drilling site's gates later.

The company began drilling at Crawberry Hill in January 2012.

It was granted another 18 month extension to its drilling licence by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council in October 2014, despite more than 300 objections being lodged.

The protest camp was dismantled by bailiffs in January.