ANTI-fracking campaigners held a well-attended information day at the West Dean Centre in Bream.

Organisers say more than 1,000 leaflets were given out for distribution around the area and more than £100 was raised.

The event, organised by Frack Off Our Forest (FOOF), included discussions, information films and making banners and other resources.

A South Wales company has said it will test drill in the Forest for coalbed methane.

Several hundred people attended the event including Forest of Dean district councillors from across the political spectrum who wanted to find out more about the campaign.

FOOF supporter Sid Phelps said: “There’s been a fantastic response – I’ve been so busy I’ve not even stopped for tea.

“I don’t think people should underestimate the feeling here in the Forest, people want to do something about this and stop it in its tracks.

“There are some questions we need answered and we’ll be talking to geologists and freeminers in the area. Is there any coalbed methane in this area?

“I do mine tours for schoolchildren and we say there has never been explosive gas in the pits here which is why they didn’t need to use Davey lamps.

“To be looking for methane in pits, which historically never had a methane problem, doesn’t seem to add up but we want to find out categorically.

“A lot of people are here to find out more about it. Not everyone has made up their minds but most people are instinctively worried about the proposals so we are trying to give some of the facts.

“If the other side come up with a public meeting to say why it would be such a great idea for the Forest that would also be interesting.

“People have an open mind but I can’t see anything good coming out of this if it is a runner.”

Members of FOOF were due to demonstrate outside Shire Hall in Glou­cester today (Wed­nesday) where county councillors on Gloucestershire County Council environment and communities scrutiny committee were due to discuss fracking.

On Sunday, January 31 the group is holding a demonstration at the clock tower in Coleford from noon as part of a national day of action.