ANTI-FRACKING campaigners took their protest to the streets of Ryedale yesterday.

Members of Frack-Free Ryedale gathered with placards and banners outside Barclays Bank in Malton to voice their concerns that Third Energy UK Gas Ltd, is to apply for permission to carry out fracking at its existing site in Kirkby Misperton.

Philip Tate, one of the protesters said: "Kevin Holinrake made the statement last week that 'If we are to have fracking in Ryedale, it is better to be with a local company like Third energy', however, Third Energy is not a local company, it is owned by Barclays Bank.

"Based on the reputation of the banks in recent times, we can barely trust them with our money let alone trusting them with the future heritage of Ryedale."

Mr Tate added: "Third Energy is part of Barclays, a large multinational with their principle obligation to satisfy the return on investment to shareholders and not the residents of Ryedale.

"We need to demonstrate to Third Energy that the people of Ryedale are not gullible or greedy - the £100,000 cash payment is a bribe and we will carry with our protest for as long as it takes."

Frank Colemso, one of the original members of Frack Free Ryedale, said there was a lot of concern about bringing fracking to Ryedale and support for their protest was growing.

"Fracking is not a tin pot operation using the occasional well head," he added.

"To extract shale gas in any meaningful quantity and to comply with the conditions of the license, fracking becomes an intensive and extensive industrial operation that will change the landscape across Ryedale and the UK."

Mr Colemso said they were also asking Barclays Bank shareholders to review and change their investment position and customers who opposed to fracking to change to another bank.

"A report published by the Government’s chief scientific adviser, Mark Walport , suggest that fracking has the potential to be as controversial and as damaging as thalidomide, tobacco and asbestos, something shareholders may want to avoid," he added.

"This protest is the first stone in our sling. It will take many shots before Third Energy pack up their drill heads and remove the threat of their proposed industrialization of rural Ryedale."

A spokesman for Third Energy said: “Having operated in North Yorkshire safely and successfully for over 20 years, Third Energy knows the importance of being a good neighbour. As part of our application, we will consult widely with the local community and work in partnership to develop the scheme.

“We are firmly committed to undertaking this work with minimal impact on the environment and community, as we have done for the last two decades.”