PROTESTORS claim ongoing losses of millions of pounds by fracking company Third Energy cast doubt on its ability to operate safely and clean up should things go wrong.

But the company has responded saying its losses are “normal” ahead of expected profits once the gas from its North Yorkshire site starts to flow.

The clash is the latest in the controversial battle over fracking since North Yorkshire County Council approved an application to drill at Kirby Misperton, in Ryedale.

It was the first permission granted after a fracking moratorium imposed after 2011 earth tremors in Lancashire during operations by another company.

Now campaigners say Third Energy accounts reveal it made losses of £3.8m while the firm has liabilities of £50m.

Frack Free Ryedale is calling on customers of Barclays, which is a majority shareholder, to protest.

Russell Scott of Frack Free North Yorkshire said: “It is clear when you analyse Third Energy’s poor financial health, that we cannot trust them to finance either safe working practices or the clean up afterwards.”

He said that with assets of £1.7m, it continued trading through Barclays Bank.

A spokesman for Third Energy said: “We have for some years, been investing in projects to increase the flow of gas from within our licence areas.

"As is normal with this type of natural resource development, the company has incurred losses ahead of the expected revenues and profits that will flow with the gas. Our investors and board fully support this programme.”

Ryedale resident Peter Allen added:”Economically fracking is proving to be disastrous for companies in the US, many have been driven to bankruptcy, and we cannot afford to have a producer that cannot fulfil their commitments in the event of a disaster.”

Ian Conlan, Frack Free Ryedale, said: “Any other company would have ceased trading years ago with such staggering losses. We call on Barclay’s customers to ask their bank to pull the plug.”

A spokesperson for Barclays added: “Through Global Natural Resources Investments, Barclays has a majority stake in Third Energy: a British business with a history of investment and good corporate citizenship in North Yorkshire.

"Third Energy has been drilling, developing and producing gas in the region for over 20 years, with an excellent environmental and safety record.”