A GROUP of a dozen women dressed as Suffragettes chained themselves to the railings of a Conservative club in protest at fracking.

The 12 Ryedale residents chained themselves to railings of Pickering and District Conservative Club, in the centre of the Ryedale town, wearing sashes which read: “Ban Fracking #WeSaidNo”.

It was part of a protest against an imminent fracking operation at Kirby Misperton a few miles away.

The group then moved on to protest outside Barclays Bank in the Ryedale town. The bank is providing finance to fracking, which is one of the bank’s non-core activities.

Protesters said the purpose of the action was "designed to draw attention to those in positions of power who are forcing fracking on the local community".

A spokesperson for the women said: “The Suffragettes had to battle for the most basic rights.

“We are determined to fight with the same dogged determination for our right to clean water and air.

“We will continue until our government listens to our voices. Every time we complain of poor practice or planning breaches we are told that fracking is safe, and we have gold standard regulation.

"This is simply not what we are witnessing.”