Environmental Protest In Central London

1 December 2012, 12:30 | Updated: 1 December 2012, 12:32

Environmental campaigners are delivering a letter to 10 Downing Street as protests take place in London today against 'fracking' - a controversial gas extraction method.

Activists are worried 60% of the countryside could be dug up to find gas - something which the Department of Energy has dismissed.

They are calling for a ban on exploration and development of shale gas and coal bed methane which they say damages the environment.

Demonstrators say they will also put up a 7.2m dummy rig outside parliament as part of the protest.