CAMPAIGNERS are invoking the spirit of Dunbar’s most famous son in their fight against fracking.

Members of DAFT – the Dunbar Anti-Fracking Team – gathered at the town’s statue of John Muir to launch their campaign against hydraulic fracturing, or ‘fracking’ in the county.

Fracking is a controversial technique designed to recover gas and oil from shale rock, which has been condemned by many.

Chris Eden, a DAFT member, said: “Fracking and other kinds of off-the-wall gas extraction are quite simply daft.

“A growing body of evidence shows they may be damaging public health.

“They risk contaminating our water, land and air. They cause earth tremors. They will increase traffic and pollution. And they will increase the risks of devastating climate change.” DAFT has already set up a Facebook page and submitted a response to East Lothian Council’s Main Issues Report (MIR) calling for “a complete moratorium” on unconventional gas extraction until its safety can be proven.

Members are also encouraging other local people to raise their concerns, and to lobby local councillors and politicians at Holyrood and Westminster. The group has grown quickly, attracting more than 120 followers on its Facebook page in just two weeks.

Similar groups have emerged in North Berwick and Pencaitland.

Mr Eden took inspiration from Muir, who was born in Dunbar before his family emigrated to the United States of America. He would go on to become a famed naturalist and explorer and is credited as the father of the USA’s National Parks movement.

He said: “Scotland has plenty of energy resources.

“Fracking isn’t about keeping the lights on, it’s about lining the pockets of rich businessmen who care little about the damage they do.

“John Muir worked hard to protect forests in California from needless commercial exploitation by loggers and land speculators.

“Now we want to follow Muir’s example and prevent fast-buck companies from polluting the county that inspired his love of nature.”