A MOTHER from America whose children study in schools just yards from shale gas wells has travelled to the UK to give evidence to MPs about fracking.

Amy Nassif founded a parents group in response to fears for the health of their children, whose school lies half a mile from a fracking site in her home town of Mars, Pennsylvania.

She has two daughters aged nine and 13 at the school and in 2014 formed the Mars Parent Group for parents to research the implications of fracking so near a school.

Today (Tuesday) she spoke before an All Party Parliamentary Group on Shale Gas, organised by Thirsk and Malton MP Kevin Hollinrake, whose constituency includes Third Energy’s shale gas extraction site at Kirby Misperton.

North Yorkshire County Council granted planning permission for hydraulic fracturing at the site earlier this year. A judicial review is to be held into the decision following an application by local campaigners and Friends of the Earth.

Mrs Nassif said: “Following the research carried out by the Mars Parents Group we believe that if plans to develop shale gas continue to move forward in the UK, it is imperative to plan for a minimum one mile setback from schools and children.

“This planning did not occur in Pennsylvania, and the post drilling research is accumulating. The damaging effects of hydraulic fracturing are now being discovered. Our children, living and attending school near gas wells and related infrastructure, are at constant risk for adverse health effects and exposure to incidents and accidents.

“We hope to see the robust planning that Mr Hollinrake speaks of protect children in the UK where ours in Pennsylvania has failed.”

Mrs Nassif also addressed an information workshop at the House of Lords organised by the Thirsk and Malton Liberal Democrats group and chaired by Baroness Lynne Featherstone.