Dozens stage Helsby anti-fracking protest

Residents in Helsby are concerned about the effect fracking could have on the environment

Dozens of people staged an anti-fracking protest in a Cheshire village where tests are taking place to find reserves of shale gas.

Seismic tests are being carried out on land between Helsby and Ellesmere Port to establish where rocks containing oil and gas are located.

About 35 people protested against the tests, at a meeting of Helsby parish council.

Energy firm IGas said that its tests were a "common and routine operation".

The firm has commissioned tests across areas including Ince, Stoke, Thornton-Le-Moors, Little Stanney, Elton and Frodsham Marsh.

A leaflet sent to residents said the tests were carried out using "a small seismic charge mounted on a tractor or truck".

'Substantial benefits'

One of the protesters, Michael Garvey, presented a letter expressing fears that large companies were interested in profit "regardless of the health and safety of our residents and the environment".

Campaigners also accused the council of failing to take the tests seriously.

But local resident David Temple spoke in favour of fracking, telling the meeting: "Some of us believe it's right to develop our resources, rather than relying on Russian and Qatari gas."

In a statement, IGas said: "The gathering of seismic information has been a common and routine operation in the UK for some 40 years now."

The firm added that fracking could create "substantial benefits to local communities", including employment and money for councils.

Hydraulic fracturing or fracking involves pumping a mixture of water and chemicals into shale rock at high pressure to extract gas and oil.

Environmental campaigners claim the process is untested, and encourages reliance on fossil fuels instead of promoting investment in renewable energy sources.