SHALE gas company Cuadrilla will not be able to start fracking at the Preston New Road site in Lancashire until after a hearing next week, the High Court ruled today.

An interim injunction order was signed saying the company “must desist from carrying out any hydraulic fracturing operations” until the hearing takes place.

The decision came after campaigner Bob Dennett applied to the court for an emergency injunction and judicial review of emergency planning procedures at the site, fearing the authorities had failed to protect locals.