Lancashire Council have just rejected an application from Cuadrilla to frack for gas – the first application of its kind since 2011.

The announcement is a major victory for local anti-fracking campaigners. They were joined by hundreds of health and climate activists who descended on the council from across the UK last week as part of ‘The Frack Stops Here’.

17 North West MPs and MEPs joined thousands of Lancashire residents in opposing the bid.

Councillors were divided about rejecting the bid last week and sought extra legal advice before reaching a ruling.

The application to drill would have seen fracking take place at Preston New Road in Little Plumpton, between Preston and Blackpool.

Read more about the local campaign at Frack Free Lancashire.