NORTHWICH MP Mike Amesbury has aired concerns after pro-fracker Liz Truss was selected as the next Conservative Prime Minister.

The Labour MP says he is prepared to stand alongside campaigners if the new Prime Minister presses ahead with her plan to lift the fracking ban imposed in 2019 after it caused earthquakes near Blackpool.

Fracking companies previously targeted his Weaver Vale constituency under licences allowing shale gas exploration, with a potential impact on Northwich - as well as Helsby, Frodsham and Runcorn - if hydraulic fracturing is ever pursued.

As reported by BBC Politics, in a recent interview Liz Truss said: “I support fracking in parts of the United Kingdom where that can be done.”

Mr Amesbury said: “Campaigners and constituents breathed a sigh of relief when it looked like fracking was dead in the water.

“But the energy crisis has been seen by vested interests, backed by a small number of Tory MPs, including Truss, as an opportunity to resurrect this discredited practice.

“It’s being presented as a way of lowering energy prices because we know consumers are facing sky-rocketing bills.

“But it could take years to produce shale gas at scale, with no guarantees.

“Any fracked gas would go straight onto the international wholesale market to maximise profits so would have little or no impact on domestic energy prices.”

My Amesbury said as well as potential earthquakes, fracking can cause water and air contamination and ‘vandalism of our countryside’ through the drilling of wells.

Mr Amesbury added: “I don’t believe any community really wants fracking.

“What worries me are reports that the fracking firms are planning to offer households a 25 per cent cut in their energy bills and give communities £100,000 if they back fracking in their local area.

“That’s legalised bribery in my book.”

The MP concluded: “What we need is for Government to ramp up investment in renewables and make sure our homes are better insulated.

“In the short run, freeze the energy price cap and cut VAT on energy bills, funded by extending the windfall tax on the excess profits of North Sea oil and gas producers.”