ANTI-fracking campaigners are preparing to go head to head with petrochemical giant Ineos ahead of tonight's public meeting.

The meeting will be the first time members of the public will come face to face with the company to discuss the highly controversial issue.

Residents will gather at Denny High School at 7pm to hear the Grangemouth company's pro-fracking message.

However, as previously reported in the Evening Times, campaigners have vowed to fight against the company's plan to develop a 127sq mile site that stretches to Bishopbriggs if they acquire full fracking rights.

Ineos currently has two licences for sites which cover parts of East Dunbartonshire and North Lanarkshire, despite Scottish energy minister Fraser Ewing's January declaration of a moratorium on granting planning consents for fracking to allow for a full public consultation on the issue.

Last month, Ineos furthered their pro-fracking campaign by offering to give £2.5 billion to Scottish communities that agree to fracking.

The move was branded a "bribe" and saw Bishopbriggs group Don't Frack the Briggs call an emergency meeting in the town's library in an attempt to counter the "charm offensive."

However, the company have previously said they believe gas was the key for the future of their business.

The company also reported there was a "very rapid decline" in North Sea gas and they were spending £400m in importing shale gas from the U.S.

Chief executive of the company, Gary Haywood, said last month that the company was aware of the concerns about fracking in Scottish communities but claimed there was "misinformation."

Fracking, which is a common method of obtaining energy resources in the U.S, would involve drilling up to 4.5km underground before a high-pressure water mixture is directed at the rock to release the gas inside.

The use of this method is said to have driven down gas prices in America and allowed for electricity to be generated at half the CO2.

However, environmentalists have warned at the dangers of fracking as it requires a huge amount of water and has the potential to release carcinogenic chemicals which could contaminate groundwater.

There are also fears the fracking process can cause small tremors.

Further meetings will take place in Alloa town hall on April 21, Falkirk High School on April 22, Kilsyth academy on April 23, Bishopbriggs academy on April 27 and Greenfaulds High School, in Cumbernauld, on April 30.