A READER has got in touch to argue in favour of increased fracking of shale gas in order to prevent an energy supply crisis.

"When will this useless Government pluck up courage and take control of the UK’s failing energy (gas and electricity) supplies, thereby ensuring that we can keep warm this winter, the lights will stay on and industry can afford to manufacture the vital products needed to keep the economy going?

I fear the worst, because they are gripped by fear of the consequences should they take the plunge and revoke the current moratorium on shale gas extraction. Under our feet are reserves of natural gas estimated to be sufficient to meet total UK demand for over 50 years. And this is a conservative estimate, based on 10 per cent of current proven reserves.

With shale gas flowing we could be free from dependency on imports (60 per cent of what we use) and the political posturing of Russia. Of course, to do so would mean scrapping ludicrous zero carbon targets that can in any case never be met.

Should you find your gas and electricity bills soaring (as they will), reflect on the fact they could be easily affordable if only we had a government with the will to make it so."

DW Lacey, Durham.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054