ABOUT 250 anti-fracking campaigners turned out to a meeting held by Third Energy into its forthcoming fracking operation in Ryedale.

The information event at Kirby Misperton Village Hall on Thursday evening was organised by Third Energy to answer questions about the pending hydraulic fracturing operation due to take place at its nearby KM8 well.

The company was also there to explain in detail what would happen at the site and safety measures it had put in place.

The event attracted about 250 campaigners from the surrounding area, who gathered outside the village hall to make clear their continued opposition to the plans for shale gas extraction.

Sue Gough from Little Barugh, who lives just two miles from the site of the test-frack and attended the rally said: "How dare Third Energy force their way into our villages? They have no community support for fracking here, or anywhere else in Yorkshire."

Steve Mason, a resident and local business owner said: "I am far from reassured about the whole process and the effect it will have on our local community. It feel we are being railroaded into accepting an industry that we don't need in the UK."

Villagers in Kirby Misperton have expressed concern that heritage conditions have been passed by the county council despite fears of damage to the Grade 2 listed St Laurence Church in the village by vibrations from drilling equipment.

Bishop Graham Cray and Rev Jackie Cray who live in Kirby Misperton and regularly preach in the village church said they feared damage to the Grade II-listed St Laurence Church from vibrations made by the drilling equipment.

John Dewar, operations director at Third Energy said: “The KM8 community drop-in session at Kirby Misperton Village Hall has been an opportunity for members of the public to have their questions answered and to learn how we will be protecting the environment and ensuring safe operations. We would like to thank everyone who attended the event today and asked questions about our operations and the future of UK energy.

“If anyone has any other questions please email us on northyorkshire@third-energy.com.” He added: “We welcomed a number of community members who object to our plans to discuss their concerns with members of my team. Third Energy fully respects people’s right to lawful and peaceful protest, we trust that those who do object to our plans will also respect our rights, and the rights of Ryedale residents, to go about our business lawfully and peacefully as operations continue in the coming months.”