Theresa May: 'Fracking has a role to play'

Theresa May has told Calendar fracking "has a role to play" in the British energy industry after the Scottish government announced a ban on the controversial process.

The prime minster said work to extract shale gas needed to be properly regulated and communities should "benefit" from the process, but she did not agree with the Scottish government's decision to ban it.

Scotland's energy minister Paul Wheelhouse confirmed this week that the government will outlaw fracking.

The prime minister's comments come as protests continue in Kirby Misperton in North Yorkshire – where Third Energy is expected to start fracking before the end of the year.

The company began moving equipment on to the site last month.

Since then 29 people have been arrested at the site, with 24 charged with various offences.

Protesters, who have set up camp outside the site, have already lost a legal challenge against the decision to grant planning permission to frack for shale gas at the site, but have vowed to continue their blockade.