BUSINESS owners in Pickering have expressed concern over relations between anti-fracking protesters and those local firms who do business with gas companies.

The matter was discussed at a meeting of the Pickering in Business group last week, in the wake of pressure from demonstrators outside gas company Third Energy’s Pickering gas well, known as PK1 - a non-fracking gas site.

Protesters have communicated their thoughts on PK1 en masse to businesses who deliver to the site through online comments, social media and phone calls.

Neil Armstrong, chairman of Pickering in Business, said that there was “a strong ripple of concern” among the businesses in the room.

“The outcome was to keep the group informed of anything else that occurs,” he said, “and for each business to make its own decision. The business group is apolitical, that’s not what we’re about. What each business does is up to them, but we are supportive of each other.”

Protesters have since called for communication to be kept polite.

Eddie Thornton, one of the demonstrators based at the Kirby Misperton Protection Camp, said: “As a local campaigner I would feel very disappointed and surprised if someone within our peaceful movement was threatening businesses in our community.

“Campaigners in Lancashire report that a pro-fracker was masquerading as a protector and making threatening phone calls to local businesses. Perhaps the same happened in Pickering.

“Either way I hope that campaigners and businesses can work together in harmony to protect our land from fracking and remember that we will all have to carry on living together long after Third Energy pull out.

“If Ryedale businesses want to register as Frack Free companies they can find a link on Frack Free Ryedale’s website.”

The protesters’ lobbying of lorries at PK1 delivered success when it prompted one lorry driver to refuse to deliver drills to the site.

Mr Thornton added: “He has become a bit of a local hero. A video of him explaining his refusal to deliver drilling equipment to Third Energy has been viewed about 20,000 times.

“He risked his employment by following his conscience. In his own words, ‘I was just doing my job by not doing my job’. Thankfully his employer stood by him.”