CAMPAIGNERS have hinted that they could take direct action if controversial fracking takes place in the region.

Greenpeace activists spoke out yesterday after police made six arrests at an anti-fracking protest at Barton Moss, Salford.

The protest came as the Government renewed its push to promote shale gas exploration.

David Cameron said the Government was "going all out for shale" as he announced that local authorities which allowed drilling will receive 100 per cent of the business rates collected from the scheme - double the current 50 per cent.

Whitehall officials estimate that could be worth £1.7m extra a year for each site a council agrees.

But Chris Mackins, from Greenpeace’s York group, said the proposal was a “naked attempt by the Government to bribe hard pressed councils into accepting fracking in their area”.

Commenting on the protest in Salford, he added: “If Government and local authorities show scant regard for rightly concerned local communities, then they shouldn't be too surprised when those communities come together, just as at Balcombe and Barton Moss, and take peaceful direct action.

“What else is left when their voices have been gagged?”

Opponents fear fracking, a process in which liquid is pumped deep underground at high pressure to fracture rock and release the gas in it, for shale gas will lead to the development of industrial sites and disturbance in the countryside.

Fears have also been raised over the potential for small-scale earthquakes and water pollution, and that a drive to exploit new gas reserves will turn the focus away from efforts to develop a low-carbon economy to tackle climate change.

Protests at Barton Moss have continued for almost seven weeks.

On Monday six people - three men and three women - were arrested on suspicion of either obstructing the highway or obstructing police, Greater Manchester Police said.

Mr Cameron's announcement came as the French energy giant Total announced it would invest millions with a 40 per cent interest in two shale gas exploration licences in the UK.

On a visit to Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, in the area Total will be looking to develop shale gas wells, Mr Cameron defended the plans to push ahead with fracking, saying environmental concerns would be assuaged once people saw the benefits.

He said: “We have the strongest environmental controls in this country. Nothing would go ahead if there were environmental dangers. I think people can be reassured by that.

“But I actually believe it’s when these wells go ahead, when people start to see the benefit, when people see there aren’t environmental concerns, they will see that it is quite right that this is part of our long-term economic plan.”

According to a British Geological Survey (BGS), huge shale gas resources may be under the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales.