COUNCIL chiefs opted out of becoming a 'frack free zone' after being handed a petition signed by thousands of people.

The petition, signed by 3,500 people across West Sussex, was given to town hall bosses at a full county council meeting today.

It asked that West Sussex County Council declare the county a “frack free zone” for the next five years while the “risks to communities and environments” from fracking were eliminated.

Petitioner Peter O'Donoghue said: “Increasing numbers of councils around the country, 20 at the last count, are passing resolutions opposing fracking.

“Geology, landscape - including beautiful countyside and areas of outstanding natural beauty - traffic, communities and environment will all be at real risk if fracking is permitted anywhere in the county.

“You're well aware of your duty to protect and enhance the environment and we call on you as guardians of our beautiful county to ban fracking for five years until we're sure the risk to our communities and environments are eliminated.”

Councillors subsequently debated whether applying a blanket-ban on fracking applications from energy firms would be against the law.

Conservative councillor Philip Circus said: “It's not about whether we favour fracking, it's about whether were going to perform our public duties about planning in a proper, legal, fashion.”

But Labour councillor Michael Jones said: “I support the petition. It seems ridiculous that local communities can object to a wind turbine or solar panels, but not a fracking well, which is the size of two football pitches."

Conservative councillor Pieter Montyn proposed a proposition that asked the council did not adopt a position issue over risk it could be seen as “constraining the proper exercise function of the council's planning committee.”

When it came to the vote, 52 of 58 councillors turned down the chance to declare the county a frack free zone.

After the meeting Brenda Pollack, south east campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said: “We are disappointed but the key thing is that all of the councillors have heard the evidence against fracking and should be well aware that residents don't want to see it given the green light in West Sussex.

“The government should be in no doubt that its reckless pursuit of shale oil and gas is proving deeply unpopular in the Tory heartlands.

“As long as companies like Celtique continue to show a blatant disregard for the local community, we will work alongside West Sussex residents to fight applications."

Other councils which have voted to ban fracking include Brighton and Hove, York City, Norwich and Manchester.