A LOCAL anti-fracking campaign group has set up nine smaller groups as membership to the movement increases.

Frack Free Ryedale has seen an increase in membership in recent weeks and as a result has set up nine local groups in Pickering, Kirkbymoorside, Malton, Helmsley, Terrington, Hovingham, Gilling, Sheriff Hutton and Great Edstone.

Chris Redston, com-munications director of the group, said that the local groups will be helping to spread awareness of the issue of fracking and how Ryedale could be potentially affected by it in the future.

He said: “The local groups will be campaigning to spread awareness of the dangers of fracking among residents, businesses, farmers, landowners and elected representatives in their area.

“Frack Free Ryedale has been growing very rapidly as more and more people realise the very real threat that the fracking industry poses to the water supply, tourism, agriculture, wildlife, our climate and the peaceful day to day life that people in Ryedale currently take for granted.”

Anyone who would like to find out more information or get involved in one of the groups should email contact@frackfreeryedale.org or visit frackfreeryedale.org