FIFE Council has reiterated its opposition to fracking in the Kingdom.

There was cross party support for a motion opposing the practice – to capture shale gas from underground – when all of the region's councillors met recently.

The UK Government lifted the ban on fracking last month, prompting the Scottish Government and local authorities to confirm they're still firmly opposed.

Council leader, Councillor David Ross, said: "Following recent policy changes by UK Government, Fife Council has again declared its opposition to all forms of fracking and any unconventional gas extraction in our area.

"Fossil-fuel extraction isn't consistent with any environmental policy designed to promote decarbonisation."

The council first opposed fracking in 2017 and declared a climate emergency in the same year.

Fracking is the process of drilling down into the earth before a high-pressure water mixture is directed at the rock to release and then capture the gas inside.

Underground coal gasification, another controversial practice and one that could have gone ahead after plans were announced for a plant in Kincardine, was also banned by the Scottish Government in 2017.