TWO drop-in sessions are being held in order to explain more about the fracking that is expected to take place in Ryedale in the next few months.

The first is being held by energy company Third Energy, the firm which will be carrying out the operations.

Their drop-in will be held at Kirby Misperton Village Hall, from 3pm to 7.30pm, on Thursday, August 31 - no prior registration is required.

A spokesman for the company said: “Since obtaining planning permission in 2016, we have been working to discharge all the planning and environmental permit conditions.

“Many of these conditions were made to address specific concerns raised both during and after the consultations.”

John Dewar, operations director at Third Energy, added: “We look forward to hosting our KM8 community drop-in session at Kirby Misperton Village Hall.

"This will be an opportunity for members of the public to have their questions answered and to learn how we will be protecting the environment and ensuring safe operation."

Another drop-in information event is being held by the group of different organisations whose job it is to regulate the gas extraction operations.

This will be held a week later, on Thursday September 7, also at Kirby Misperton Village Hall.

The Environment Agency, the Health and Safety Executive, the Oil and Gas Authority, Public Health England and Ryedale District Council are hosting the event.

An Environment Agency spokesman said: “These agencies work together to assess the impacts of the oil and gas industry, to oversee industry operations, and to ensure that any exploration and development, including fracking, is done in a way that does not put people or the environment at risk of harm.

“The drop-in session will give local people a chance to find out about agencies’ roles and to hear more about the plans that have been put in place since permissions have been granted, along with what will be done in the coming months to regulate site activities.

“Everyone is welcome to attend at any time between 2pm and 7pm.”

It is anticipated that Third Energy will carry out the so-called "test frack" operation in the next few months, once the final traffic management plans have been agreed.