RYEDALE MP Kevin Hollinrake has played down fears over the possibility of fracking on nature sites in his constituency.

MPs are due to vote on legislation to allow shale gas extraction at locations, including national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty (AONB).

If passed, fracking would be permitted at depths below 1,200m in places such as the North York Moors National Park and the Howardian Hills AONB.

The proposals also no longer include a ban on fracking at sites of special scientific interest (SSSI).

Mr Hollinrake said: "I think people are worried about surface drilling in AONBs and national parks. I don't think they need to be concerned.

"That's something that will be dealt with by a separate statutory instrument."

Campaigners such as Frack Free Ryedale (FFR) and Greenpeace say the proposed legislation could lead to fracking rigs on the edge of national parks and drilling deep below them.

Mr Hollinrake said: "I would question why people are worried about that. Either the process is safe or it's not.

"If it's not safe, we need to be concerned about everywhere there is fracking."

He added: "As long as I'm reassured that we are not going to have surface drilling in AONBs or national parks, then it's not something I'm concerned about.

"I'm being assured these safeguards will be put in place.

"I have yet to see them and will keep pressing to be kept up to date."

However, FFR campaigner Jackie Cray, from Kirby Misperton, said: "In January Amber Rudd promised in the House of Commons that there would be a total ban on fracking in SSSIs.

"Given that this clear promise has now been broken, why should we believe more government assurances that legislation to ban fracking in National Parks and AONBs will be introduced in the future? And why isn't this legislation being introduced."

Greenpeace's head of campaigns Daisy Sands said: “The government is breaking the promise that national parks would not be fracked, but they are trying to sneak these regulations through the back door of parliament without any consent from the public and without any proper debate for MPs.

"It is abundantly clear that this government is trying to force fracking on a reluctant nation using every trick in the book."