Lancashire college hosts major debate on fracking

Guest speakers: Eric Vaughan from Cuadrilla Resources, Professor Alister Scott, Tony Bosworth from Friends of the Earth and Dr Laurence Stamford. (Pictures: NEIL

Students at the Leyland college heard from major stakeholders and two of the UK’s leading academics.

The subject was hydraulic fracturing - or fracking - in the search for shale gas.

In Lancashire, gas exploration company Cuadrilla has been refused permission to frack at two sites.

The conference at Runshaw College on the controversial topic of fracking.

A public inquiry is set to be held.

Runshaw students heard from several guest speakers including Dr Laurence Stamford from the University of Manchester; Professor Alister Scott of Birmingham City University; Eric Vaughan from Cuadrilla Resources; and Tony Bosworth from the Friends of the Earth.

Lawrence Stamford said on Twitter later: “Excellent fracking debate this morning @RunshawCollege. Full house, and even us speakers may have found some common ground... Maybe...”

Prof Scott said he “very much enjoyed” the debate.