PENDLE Peer Tony Greaves has tackled a minister in the House of Lords on the government's support for fracking.

The Liberal Democrat said a High Court decision judging its latest planning guidance for councils as unlawful was an example was a 'lack of basic procedural competence'.

Lord Greaves told Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: “It seems rather strange that the Government want widespread extraction of methane from rocks in this country at a time when the climate crisis affecting the world is getting worse.”

Lord Bourne of replied: “We believe the technology is worth looking at, because methane presents a bridge between fossil fuels and renewables, and is the best of the hydrocarbons in terms of pollution. We are committed to ensuring it is also safe and environmentally sound.”

Energy firm Cuadrilla have been fracking for shale gas at Preston New Road, near Blackpool despite a number of small earthquakes.

The M65 corridor, from Blackburn through Burnley to Colne and Rossendale, has been identified as holding significant shale gas reserves.