Bromley’s Friends of the Earth (FoE) group is set to rally against fracking later this month and hopes residents join the campaign.

The group has announced plans to canvass at Bromley’s mall precinct on Saturday March 22 – the ‘National Action Day Against Fracking’.

The local FoE organisation has expressed concern about the controversial extraction of shale gas and oil taking place in the borough.

Group member Ann Garrett said: “We’ll be offering information about fracking and will give local people the opportunity to sign cards about their concerns and these will be sent collectively to Bromley Council.

“Since the fracking controversy blew up opposition groups have sprung up all over the country. As parts of the borough could be affected, we encourage local residents to visit our stall to find out more.”

She went on to say fracking processes “can pollute water beds, use up much precious water and disfigure the countryside”, keeping the UK “hooked on dirty fossil fuels that contribute to climate change.”

Fracking is the extraction of shale gas from thousands of metres below the earth’s surface. A mixture of chemicals, sand and water is injected deep underground at high pressure to fracture the rocks and release gas.

Earlier this year David Cameron announced councils that allow fracking projects will be allowed to keep millions of pounds in tax revenue.

The move comes in support of the mining technique, with the Government believing it could generate billions of pounds for the economy, create jobs and lower fuel bills.