ACTIVISTS protesting against fracking in the Dales braved the wet weather to hand out several hundred leaflets to shoppers in Skipton on Saturday.

Members of the 38 Degrees political pressure group and Frack Free Craven asked for signatures on letters to be sent to Craven councillors protesting against fracking, the highly controversial process of extracting shale gas from the ground.

Protestors fear Craven could soon be facing applications from companies wanting to frack under it, as recent bids have been made in Lancashire, Ryedale and the Wakefield area.

Lisa Leddicoat, who is a member of both groups, said: "We were asking people to sign letters to Craven District Council as councillors sit on the various committees that will make a decision on Third Energy’s application to extract shale oil in Ryedale.

"Despite getting soaked, many people were happy to stop for a chat and sign to show their concerns about the possibility of our county being subjected to this blight. A recent poll suggested 86 per cent of people are against fracking in Yorkshire.

"A couple who were house-hunting had discarded this area from their search as they had heard fracking could happen here."