PEOPLE in the South must accept fracking for shale gas, a senior Government minister has said – describing the supposed dangers as “myth-peddling”.

Business minister, Michael Fallon, said it was likely that even more gas reserves would be found across the south than currently believed.

And he urged residents to recognise the big economic boost – including lower energy bills – from exploiting the new technology.

Mr Fallon added: “If we can extract shale gas as cheaply and efficiently as they have done in the United States, everybody benefits.”