THREE anti-fracking activists were freed from prison today in a “victory for common sense” after Court of Appeal judges said their sentences were “manifestly excessive.”

Simon Blevins, Richard Roberts and Rich Loizou were jailed last month for public nuisance over a protest last July at shale gas firm Cuadrilla’s fracking site in Lancashire.

The three climbed onto lorries outside the site in Preston New Road during a stand-off lasting nearly 100 hours.

Supporters crowding the courtroom erupted into applause as the decision was announced.

Friends of the Earth lawyer Katie de Kauwe said the environmental group was “very pleased” with the verdict, while Liberty's head of legal casework Emma Norton called it a “victory for human rights and civil liberties.”

Ms Norton added: “Civil disobedience plays a vital role in safeguarding our democracy and we are delighted the Court of Appeal has recognised and protected the rights of these protesters.”

The three activists vowed to continue their fight against fracking.

Green Party MEP Keith Taylor said the decision to “quash the chilling sentences” was a “victory for common sense.”

He added: “Dissent is not a crime in any country with a political system fit to be called a democracy. Let us hope the Appeal Court’s decision reminds those in power of that fact.”

Mr Taylor said the Greens will continue to support all those who are resisting the government’s “climate-destructive bid to bypass local democracy’ to force fracking on communities that have rejected it.

Last week, Cuadrilla was given the go-ahead to start work at the site after campaigners lost a High Court bid to block fracking over safety concerns.

Actor and activist Emma Thompson said she was “truly grateful to the activities for doing what we all should be doing” to protect the future from “fossil-fuelled disaster.”

She added: “It’s unbelievable that at the very moment scientists tell us to speed up closing down fossil-fuel industries, the UK government has decided to start a new one.

“And it’s not just climate experts who think fracking is a terrible idea. The local people don’t want it, the general public don’t want it and the government is having to change the law to force it down our throats.

“When a government behaves contrary to science, reason and public opinion, it’s inevitable that some brave souls will resist.”

The three activists were the first environmental protesters to be imprisoned since the Kinder Scout mass trespass of 1932, which involved violence, the court heard.

Greenpeace UK executive director John Sauven hailed the verdict as “a major cause for celebration” for all whose home, community and climate are “threatened by reckless industrialisation.”

He added: “Britain’s justice system has long recognised the vital contribution peaceful protest makes in a democracy, and we thank the High Court for upholding that principle.

“This is still a country where dissent is tolerated and speech is free.

“There is still great need for brave voices to speak truth to power. The government has been ruthless in its determination to push fracking onto a deeply unenthusiastic nation.

“Property rights have been removed, protections lifted, regulations weakened and the security state has thrown millions at shielding this loss-making industry from growing public opposition.”

Mr Sauven warned ministers that, if they continue with their approach, they will meet “more and more” resistance.

“This case should be seen as a signal that they have pushed too hard and too far against public opinion for a democratic government,” he concluded.