CAMPAIGNERS today delivered a 185,000 signature petition calling on the Government to respect Lancashire County Council's decision to reject fracking.

Representatives of residents' action groups on the Fylde opposed to shale gas exploration were joined by Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth to hand the document into Ten Downing Street for Prime Minister David Cameron.

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They also gave a copy to the office of Communities Minister Greg Clark who is currently deciding whether to over turn the county council's refusal of the applications by drilling firm Cuadrilla between Preston and Blackpool.

In August fracking came a step closer to East Lancashire as the government identified the M65 corridor as exploration areas for the controversial process.

Its 14th Licensing Round for onshore oil and gas exploration earmarked seven blocks of land around Ribble Valley, Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle and Rossendale as suitable for shale gas drilling.

The protestors in London said fracking has no “democratic mandate” in Lancashire, following the county council’s decision to prohibit the controversial practice at Roseacre Wood and Preston New Road, Little Plumpton.

In a joint statement, campaigners Hannah Martin of Greenpeace and Rose Dickinson of Friends of the Earth, said: “We are here today on behalf of more than 185,000 people who have stepped up to defend Lancashire’s democratically-made decision to say ‘no’ to fracking.

"We are asking David Cameron and Greg Clark to stand by their commitment to local democracy, by respecting the decision of Lancashire County Council – a decision supported by local residents, businesses and councillors.

"Fracking poses risks to people and the environment, and politicians in Westminster shouldn’t force this risky technology on any community.”

Cat Smith, Labour MP for Lancaster and Fleetwood, said: I’m proud to stand up for my constituents, their jobs and our planet by joining Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth handing in this petition.”

Francis Egan, CEO of Cuadrilla said: “As with previous petitions organised by Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth I very much doubt the majority of the signatories claimed are from people in Lancashire or indeed all based in the UK.

"Our right to appeal is a fundamental part of the local democratic planning process.

"This is the same democratic process which allows anti-fracking groups to seek judicial reviews of planning applications."