ANTI-FRACKERS urged MP Chris Green to back them in their campaign to stop drilling plans at a Horwich meeting tonight.

More than 100 petitioners, made up of residents, politicians and community groups attended the first meeting of Horwich and Blackrod Against Fracking united in their aim to stop drilling.

The meeting comes after revelations that the government has offered a licence to drilling firm Osprey to carry out exploratory work on land covering Horwich, Blackrod, Rivington and Belmont.

MP Chris Green, who has been relatively quiet on his stance on fracking, was met with booing from the audience after he stated fracking "should be part of the energy mix".

He added: "I am not ideologically opposed or ideologically in favour of fracking, at the moment there are no proposals or developments in the constituency or around the constituency.

"If I was saying straight from the beginning no all the way through then I think that undermines my argument slightly.

"If I was to be objective as possible and have an open mind to the proposals as and when they arrive and then say no, I think there is more strength to that argument.

“I appreciate that there are many hazards – it’s a hazard to human health, I agree with that, the chemicals being used are a hazard all those road movements are hazards, the effects on drinking water is again a hazard and I recognise all these but when the proposals come I will look at them objectively.”

Berated by the audience, which included residents community petition groups such as the anti-fracking Nana’s and the Bolton Against Fracking campaign, the Bolton West MP was criticised for his “on the fence” opinion and urged to “listen to his constituents”.

Joyce Kellet, leader of Horwich Town Council said: “This sickens me. Our earth is the only thing we have to survive we abuse it we contaminate it and it still forgives us and now we want to go to the core and start blasting it.

“I’m the vice chairman of Bolton planning and this has been taken out of my hands because the government are going to give licenses so whatever we say doesn’t matter- well the thing is this we don’t want fracking here or anywhere else, this has to stop.

“We can’t live without water, farmers are diminishing at such an alarming rate that we are not self sufficient in food and without those two things we cannot survive.

“I say this to this government go back and tell them no, no , no to fracking here or anywhere else.”

Speaking after the meeting Chris Green said: “It’s been a fantastic audience, the hall is full and there have been so many concerns raised over the possibility of fracking in Horwich and so many people concerned about their health and the environmental impact it might have.

“As a member of parliament representing Bolton West I want to be objective throughout the process and when there are proposals given I will look at those proposals and I will certainly reflect on the wishes of my constituents when I come to a conclusion.

“I've met with hundreds of people from Horwich and Blackrod to talk about possible licencing for fracking in our area. 

“My position has been very clear from the start: due to the potential for dangerous hazards - whether from the chemicals used, water contamination, traffic problems or possible earth tremors - I cannot foresee any situation where I could support any application for fracking anywhere in Bolton West.”