POLICE say they have today facilitated a “slow-walk” peaceful protest outside the fracking site at Kirby Misperton, near Pickering.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said a group of protesters walked in front of heavy goods vehicles making deliveries to the Habton Road site at 12.55pm.

"Police Liaison Officers engaged with the protesters to facilitate the peaceful demonstration," he said.

Superintendent Alisdair Dey said: "We need to balance the rights, needs and wishes of everyone at the site, including those who want to assemble and protest safely and peacefully.

"Every day, officers will engage with the protest community, explaining clearly what is acceptable in terms of safety and reasonableness, and what action will be taken if necessary."

The move comes after frequent arrests of anti-fracking protesters who have blocked access to the fracking well-site.