A SOUTH Lakes MP said the Government should be focussing on tidal power instead of fracking after campaigners linked a series of small earthquakes with the start of fracking in Lancashire.

Tim Farron, who joined protestors at the Preston New Road site near Blackpool, to demonstrate against the decision to allow Cuadrilla to explore for Shale gas, said the government should be investing in tidal wave technology.

He said: "We’re unsure how closely linked the two events are. But what we are sure of is that climate change is by far the biggest issue we face.

"Shale gas is a fossil fuel and with the IPCC saying that we are on the cusp of irreversible climate change, what on earth are the Government doing bringing another fossil fuel into the system.

"Britain has the second biggest tidal range in the world – just think what we could do for our economy and jobs, as well as what it would do for the environment, if we concentrated on investing in tidal power instead."

Although fracking has not been earmarked in Cumbria as yet, several companies have applied for licences to explore the Barrow, Walney and Millom landscape for Shale gas.

Campaignersd have been fighting for years to stop Cuadrilla searching for Shale gas near Blackpool.

The fight was lost last week when exploration took place at the Preston New Road site. Shortly after drilling began The British Geological Survey recorded a series of small tremors much to the anger of campaigners to including the like of fashion designer Vivien Westwood.

One of the tremors measured at 0.3, this is considered an "amber" level by geological experts and they advise fracking should "proceed with caution."

Chris Rowley, of South Lakes Action on Climate Change, said: "We believe they should stop fracking due to climate change indicators.

“Fracking is a high carbon extraction of gas.

“By encouraging this kind of investment, it enables the government to reduce their support for renewable energy.

A spokesman for Cuadrilla said this kind of activity was "well within" safety thresholds.

He said: "We take the monitoring and regulation of seismicity seriously, with daily reports sent to the regulators."