THREE STROUD women, charged with wilfully obstructing the public highway, are in the middle of a three-day trial at Burnley Magistrates’ Court.

Joziet Khimba, Poh-Eng and Dr Gail Bradbook, who are opposed to fracking, laid on the road outside the site in Preston New Road, Lancashire in July last year.

They were attached by heavy arm tubes, in a direct action, to stop trucks entering the site with materials.

All three women pleaded not guilty during an initial hearing in September last year and now the trial, which begun on January 29, is set to conclude on February 1.

They are using a defence stating that they were under “duress of circumstances” to take action, because not doing so would damage their mental health.

The three have been presenting evidence on the harm fracking can cause, including water and air pollution around the site.

Khimba said: “Fracking is contributing to environmental devastation and the climate crisis in places where it is allowed to happen. I couldn’t stand by and just watch this destructive industry come to the UK.”

Fracking has been banned in many places including The Netherlands, France, Germany and Scotland.

However, this is not the case in England and according to the British Geological Survey, the UK is sitting on shale gas deposits that could supply the country for 25 years.

Cuadrilla in Lancashire and Third Energy in North Yorkshire want to become the first companies since 2011 to frack in the UK.