THERE have been four more arrests at the fracking site in Kirby Misperton.

Police said that a 53-year-old man was arrested at about 12.40pm on suspicion of wilful obstruction of a highway, and having an article with intent to destroy or damage property.

A 23-year-old man was arrested at about 12.40pm and a 54-year-old woman was arrested at about 2.20pm - both on suspicion of wilful obstruction of a highway.

Another woman was arrested at about 2.20pm on suspicion of obstructing a person engaged in lawful activity, and possessing a bladed article in a public place.

They remain in custody as enquiries continue.

The arrests come as gas company Third Energy seek to move equipment onto the so-called 'KMA' wellsite.

Protestors, demonstrating their opposition to the fracking process, have been sitting in the road outside the site.

The arrests bring the total number of arrests as part of the anti-fracking movement in North Yorkshire to seven.

Yesterday, two men were cautioned after being arrested at the site.

A 69-year-old man arrested at about 10.30am yesterday accepted a caution for obstructing a police officer, a spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said.

The spokesman also confirmed that a 33-year-old man, arrested at about the same time, has been released with no further action.

A third man, aged 23, was arrested at about 5.30pm last night. He has accepted a caution for wilfully obstructing a highway, the spokesman added.

Protesters gathered at the entrance to the site from about 7am yesterday, blocking the entrance way before being moved by police.

A police presence of about 50 officers were in place to ensure delivery lorries could get past the protestors. Police vehicles also acted as escorts for the lorries.

Superintendent Lindsey Robson, of North Yorkshire Police, said: "We'll continue to take a neighbourhood policing approach to protests – that means we will talk to people, to explain what is acceptable in terms of safety and reasonableness, and ask them to work with us to make this a safe and peaceful protest.

"We would rather talk to people and persuade them to move, than have to make arrests."