A GROUP of people will be knocking on doors in Parkend this weekend to gauge public opinion on proposed fracking in the area.

One of the members Jennie Chew, of Bream, said: "Over the next few weeks, members of the community will be conducting a survey throughout the Forest of Dean to see if residents are in favour of proposed methane gas extraction (’fracking’), for which a licence was granted by the government in December 2015.

"This will be a two-stage operation whereby local volunteers will drop-off a leaflet and a DVD containing information for people to read/watch in their own time.

Then a follow-up visit about a week later will be made to carry out a very quick survey.

The first villages to be surveyed will be Parkend, Brierley and Drybrook and visits will commence from this weekend (March 5-6).

"We aim to publicise the feelings of the different areas of the Forest of Dean through local organisations, the media as well as presenting our findings to Gloucestershire County Council and the government. 

"We hope that through doing these surveys will be able to give each village a toxic free community’ badge.  For more information about being declared a toxic free community visit www.toxinfreecommunity.org/

"We urge all residents to try and take part as only then can an accurate gauge of local opinion be obtained."