VIDEO: Passionate anti-fracking protestors gather in Wisborough Green

Around 40 passionate protestors from as far as Chichester met at the Cricketers Arms, in Durbans Road.

They were joined by New Tricks actress Sue Jameson who said she was joining the protest for the sake of her grandchildren who are aged six and two.

She said: “I want to leave this countryside environment for them and every part of this countryside could be covered in drill sites if this really got established.

“I’m an avid bird watcher and Izaak, my six-year-old grandson, is following in my footsteps.”

Celtique Energie’s application to do exploratory drilling between Kirdford and Wisborough Green is expected to be determined on April 30.

Those who joined the meeting came from campaign groups: Frack Free Fernhurst, Keep Kirdford and Wisborough Green, Frack Free Balcombe Residents Association, Frack Free Sussex and Friends of the Earth.

Mark Howarth, 62, of Fittleworth, said it was ‘inappropriate to industrialise the countryside’.

He said: “The roads are not appropriate for the traffic that’s going to be coming down here.

“We had an exercise where we had a lorry and drove it round. It was horrendous to drive around here.”

He added that the sites would need to be flood lit at night which would cause light pollution.

The determination date for the Celtique’s application has been delayed following a request from West Sussex County Council for further information.

The company must respond by February 28 and a further period of public consultation will take place.

Both Wisborough Green and Kirdford Parish Council have objected to the application.