WIRRAL Lib-Dems are seeking council support to oppose licences by an energy company to use the controversial shale gas drilling method of gas extraction from beneath the borough.

West Wirral along the Dee is seen as a potentially “huge” resource for “shale” gas drilling – known as “fracking” – despite its links to polluted tap water and even underground explosions.

Lib-Dem Mark Johnston is leading calls for the council to oppose the plans by IGas which has licences covering much of the North West – including in Wirral and Cheshire – for drilling.

Cllr Johnston said he had raised concerns because “so little is known about this process at the moment”.

He said: “With shale gas exploration licences already granted for parts of Wirral, there are just too many unanswered questions on the safety and environmental impact of this process.

“I think it’s sensible to adopt a very cautious approach to any shale gas exploration and be clear about saying we don’t want it here in Wirral unless all safety and environmental questions have been satisfactorily answered.”