Poll: Where do you stand on the fracking debate?

It comes after anti-fracking protests in Lichfield in Staffordshire, and Balcombe, West Sussex.

Protesters?who blockaded the entrance to energy firm Cuadrilla's headquarters in Staffordshire claimed fracking would send fuel bills 'through the roof' as they clashed with police outside the building.

Yesterday's protest came on the first of two days of 'mass civil disobedience' against fracking – a method of gas extraction that critics say is damaging to the environment.

They say claims that the practice will reduce energy costs are untrue and also that the method can pollute water supplies.

In Balcombe, activists are taking part in a six-day Reclaim The Power action camp after Cuadrilla began carrying out exploratory oil drilling there.

Green Party MP Caroline Lucas was among more than 30 people arrested in yesterday's protests.

• See also: Police braced for more frack action