THE potential impact of an expanded gas industry on farming was the focus of anti-fracking protests today.

A small group of tractors descended on the well-site at Kirby Misperton as part of a 'pop-up' protest by Spaunton sheep farmer Matthew Trevelyan.

He said: “This was just spontaneous really.

"At this stage, with just one well, it’s easy to turn a blind eye. But people around the world who have suffered problems with pollution have all said ‘stop this at the beginning’.”

He said their key concerns were “industrialisation of the agricultural area”, an increase in the number of wells across the district if the process proves financially viable, and the impact on farming from climate breakdown caused by the burning of fossil fuels.

“For farmers there is a lot to potentially lose, and little to gain from fracking,” he said, adding that they also plan to hold a ‘harvest festival’ at the gates to the well-site next Tuesday.

A spokesman for Third Energy said: “Third Energy fully respects people’s right to lawful and peaceful protest.

"We trust that those who object to our plans will also respect our rights, and the rights of Ryedale residents, to go about our business lawfully and peacefully. Last time we checked three small tractors does not represent the views of farmers in North Yorkshire.”

Two women, aged 56 and 66, were arrested following the demonstration, as delivery lorries attempted to leave the site. They have been charged with wilfully obstructing the highway.

They will both appear at York Magistrates' Court in November.

Police said that a total of 20 people have been arrested at the site so far in September.

Two were released with no further action, two accepted cautions, and the other 16 have been charged to court, for offences including obstructing the highway, assaulting a police officer and obstructing a police officer.