Drilling of the UK’s first horizontal shale gas well has been completed, Cuadrilla announced this morning. The news about the well, at Preston New Road, near Blackpool, coincided with the start of a three-month campaign against fracking in the region .

Opponents of Cuadrilla’s operation vowed to continue to fight against shale gas throughout the UK. Supporters said the announcement proved 2018 would be a breakthrough year for the industry.

Cuadrilla said it would now begin drilling a second horizontal shale gas well at the site and expected to frack both wells from July-September 2018.