Friends of the Earth have widely distributed this leaflet in Lancashire, illustrated with a tranquil photo of a lake and the words: “Don’t let fracking destroy all of this”. Unfortunately the picture is of Grasmere in the Lake District, an area where there is no license to explore for gas. Despite having the faux pas pointed out to them, FOE are sticking to their guns:

“The leaflet is not misleading, the image of Grasmere is being used as an illustration of the sort of areas that might be under threat from fracking if the government and industry get their way.”

The rock bed under Grasmere is volcanic; there is no shale gas under it. The Advertising Standards Authority is investigating, though knowing them don’t hold your breath…