SIX people have appeared before York Magistrates’ Court on matters connected to the anti-fracking protests at Ryedale.

Four denied that they had committed offences on Habton Road, Kirby Misperton, near the site where fracking firm Third Energy has been carrying out preparatory work since mid-September.

The remaining two made applications relating to their police bail and will enter their pleas later this year.

All six were released on bail, but two were given a condition barring them from going on Habton Road until their cases are concluded.

There will be a hearing on January 11 to decide legal issues relating to the trials.

A group of supporters from the protestors’ camp outside the fracking site accompanied the six to court where they appeared before district judge Adrian Lower.

Helen Marie Chuntso, 40, of Grove Crescent, Sowerby Bridge, and Louise Hammond, 54, who gave her address as a caravan at the camp, denied a charge of obstructing the highway on September 20.

James Ashley Mason, 23, who gave his address as a tent at the camp, with an address for post in York, denied obstructing the highway in a separate incident on September 20.

Nicola Jane Elson, 44, of Trafalgar Street, Scarborough, denied a charge of obstructing the highway on September 21.

Eddie Charles Timothy Thornton, 34, who gave his address as a tent at the camp with a postal address in Little Barugh, Malton, and Vanda Gillett, 40, who gave her address as a caravan at the camp, both made applications relating to their bail conditions.

Thornton is expected to attend court on October 26 to answer a charge of obstructing the highway, and Gillett is expected to attend court on November 16 to answer a separate charge of obstructing the highway.

All the defendants were given unconditional bail, apart from Mason and Thornton, who were given a condition that they don’t enter Habton Road.

No date was set for the trials of the four who denied charges.

Solicitor Steve Munro appeared for Chuntso and legal executive advocate Helen White for the remaining defendants.