Hundreds of anti-fracking campaigners made their feelings known outside HMP Preston during Saturday (6 October) lunchtime.

Supporters of ‘The Preston Four’ gathered to show their support for three of the men who are being held in prison at Preston.

It follows the anti-fracking protesters climbing on lorries during the Preston New Road protests against Cuadrilla drilling for shale gas at the site.

In August this year three men, Simon Blevins, Richard Roberts and Rich Loizou were given custodial sentences after being found guilty of public nuisance at Preston Crown Court.

Frack Free Preston, Friends of the Earth and other campaign groups joined together to march from Preston Railway Station to the prison in Ribbleton Lane. Around 300 people marched through the city centre.

Great to see the Anti-Fracking Protesters our in force in Preston, today! ✊🏻 #FrackFreeFour pic.twitter.com/RSF6hDKtPC

— Johnny Williams (@johnwilliams77) October 6, 2018

Outside the prison speeches were made and the group sang happy birthday to Rich – who turned 36 inside the prison on Friday.

Helen Rimmer from Friends of the Earth Lancashire said: “It was fantastic to see over three hundred people marching in Preston against the disproportionate imprisonment of peaceful protesters, who acted to protect the planet.

“As today’s protest showed they have huge support from local people, who have said no to fracking time and again only to see it forced on Lancashire by the government.”

Cuadrilla had been due to resume drilling at Preston New Road but now faces a new legal challenge.

Read more: Viewing area added at Preston New Road fracking site

An injunction and judicial review has been put in to the courts by Bob Dennett and means the company has stopped its work at the site near Preston.