RESIDENTS of a constituency being lined up for numerous fracking operations are being invited to question the regulators who would oversee the controversial energy production method.

Thirsk and Malton MP Kevin Hollinrake has organised a public meeting for his constituents after expressing concerns about people becoming misinformed about the impact of shale gas schemes.

Mr Hollinrake will chair the meeting, which will include representatives from the Department of Energy and Climate Change, the Environment Agency, the Health and Safety Executive, the British Geological Survey and the Planning Advisory Service.

He said he hoped the meeting on Monday (October 12), at Malton School, from 7pm to 9pm, would answer questions he had following a fact-finding trip to the US, which prompted him to call for the shale gas industry to be intensely regulated.

Mr Hollinrake said: "We have good regulations in this country and many of the problems encountered in America would not be allowed to happen here.

"However I feel that more reassurances are needed that constant checks would be carried out at every step of the way if fracking went ahead and that local residents would be openly and constantly informed of developments."

While energy firm Third Energy has applied to frack at Kirby Misperton, near Pickering, it is thought the Government is likely to award fracking licences to numerous others in the area.

Tickets to the meeting, are available by emailing office@kevinghollinrake.org.uk with a full name and address. Those successful will receive a response by 5pm on Thursday, October 8.