A COUNCIL has urged the Scottish Government to bring in an immediate moratorium on fracking.

North Lanarkshire took the step after councillors raised concerns about the method of extracting gas from underground shale.

Councillor James Coyle, convener of planning and transportation at the council, said: "We are not in a position to impose a moratorium in North Lanarkshire under existing planning law, as all applications must be dealt with on their merits. But the Scottish Government can and should act immediately by imposing a moratorium on all applications for fracking across the country.

"The Smith Commission recommends that control over extraction rights should be devolved, but the Scottish Government shouldn't wait.

"They can do something about this right now, using their existing powers."