A PUBLIC meeting on the proposed fracking work in Northwich will be held on Friday.

The meeting, titled Fracking in and Around Northwich, will take place at Rudheath Social Club on Friday, May 20, from 7.30pm.

The meeting will be hosted by the community group, Frack Free Northwich, which was set up to oppose fracking in Northwich and the surrounding areas of Mid-Cheshire.

It is the final of four meetings in May.

A spokesman for Frack Free Northwich said: “Everyone is welcome to come along to find out more about plans for fracking in this area, how it will affect us in and around Northwich, and how we can respond."

Public consultations relating to fracking in Cheshire are currently taking place with INEOS Shale, the shale gas development arm of INEOS.

INEOS is to operate a licence awarded by the Government to allow it to explore for oil or gas possibly trapped in commercially viable quantities below ground.

Last December the company was awarded ‘acreage’ in three main areas, Yorkshire, the East Midlands and Cheshire, the latter including Northwich, Winsford and Knutsford.

The Frack Free Northwich spokesman said:

“From talking to residents along the way, it would seem that the imminent fracking of this area by chemical giant INEOS is passing under the radar of the majority of local people.

“Many are under the impression that it's only happening in Lancashire. Our leaflets have definitely raised local awareness, and there has been a very good response to the community information evenings held so far.”

For more information on Friday’s meeting, visit facebook.com/FrackFreeNorthwich/?fref=ts