A FRACKING licence covering a huge swathe of Barnsley is to be offered by the government to energy firm Cuadrilla.

It could bring the controversial process to release gas from deep below the earth's surface to Barnsley for the first time.

Green activists warn of a threat to the environment from pollution, noise and drilling, and there are already calls to mobile opposition to the industry moving into Barnsley.

But Cuadrilla says fracking will bring down energy bills, boost the economy and create up to 64,000 jobs.

The area covered is so-called 'Gainsborough Trough' covers a square area including Darfield, Great Houghton, Grimethorpe, Thurnscoe, Bolton-upon-Dearne, Goldthorpe, Wath, West Melton, Brampton and Mexborough.

** The full story is in the Barnsley Chronicle, dated August 21. **