ANTI-FRACKING campaigners have been arrested after they blocked a North Yorkshire road this morning, and created what police call "significant traffic disruption".

North Yorkshire Police said four people locked themselves into two concrete and metal devices at different ends of Habton Road in Kirby Misperton.

The protestors appeared in the road at about 6.45am today, and police said a number of local businesses have already been affected by the blockage.

Habton Road was closed for several hours, and residents and businesses were urged to use alternative routes for their journeys, with local diversions in place. 

Superintendent Alisdair Dey, of North Yorkshire Police, said: "Habton Road is blocked at both ends due to the actions of these four people. This has caused substantial disruption to the local community, including local businesses and people on their way to work and school.

"We understand that protest activity connected to hydraulic fracturing is now having a significant impact on the local community, and we are doing all we can to reduce that impact."

All four were cut free by police officers by about 1pm, and arrested on suspicion of obstructing the highway.