ANTI-FRACKING protesters will gather outside Barclays in the town centre tomorrow to oppose the bank’s investment in the controversial procedure.

The demonstration will aim to raise awareness of Barclays’ 97 per cent stake in Third Energy, the company that has recently been given a licence to frack in Ryedale in North Yorkshire.

In Swindon, activist groups will come together from 12-3pm with the aim of raising awareness of fracking, and Barclays’ involvement in it, by handing out leaflets and talking with the public.

Andy Bentley, chairman of Swindon Area Green Party, said: “This is an opportunity for the people of Swindon to act in solidarity with Ryedale, raise awareness of the damaging impacts of fracking, and encourage Barclays to reinvest its money into renewable energy.

“With the tide turning against fracking companies, Barclays is simply damaging its own brand through its association with this environmentally damaging, noisy, and polluting industry.

“The bigger picture that affects us all is that burning fracked gas will damage the environment and make it impossible for us to meet our obligations to tackle climate change.”

People concerned about fracking, the procedure by which shale gas is extracted from below the earth’s surface, are encouraged to join the protest.