A Brent campaign group fighting to keep the borough free of fracking staged a publicity stall at Willesden Green station on Saturday.

Brent Friends of the Earth are calling on Brent Council, MPs and London Assembly members to “swear” they will say no to controversial technology which extracts gas from shale.

Campaigners claim the resulting shale gas is a dirty fossil fuel that contributes to climate change and poses serious local environmental risks such as water contamination and shortages.

Later this year, the Government is expected to open vast swathes of the country to fracking with a new round of licensing.

Ian Saville, a Brent Friends of the Earth spokesman, who lives in Neasden, said: “It went really well, we met a lot of members of the public who are clearly opposed to fracking in this area and elsewhere.

“We are opposed to it wherever it is, it will create more carbon emissions.

“Brent is among the places where the government is allowing companies to explore possibilities.”

Around 40 people signed postcards during the two hour event, expressing their concerns over fracking to the leader of Brent Council, Cllr Muhammed Butt.

Mr Saville added: “Brent residents, along with other communities up and down the country, don’t want a dash for gas.

“If fracking is the answer, then the question must be wrong!

“If London Mayor Boris Johnson gets his way, we could see fracking across London.

“We need to send him and Brent a clear message that we do not want or need fracking to keep the lights on, nor can we count on it to reduce fuel bills.

“Instead we need to invest in renewables and energy saving to heat our homes.”

A spokesman for Brent Council said: “There is no intention to allow fracking in Brent.

“The borough is built on London clay rather than shale which is a pre-requisite for this type of activity.”