A fracking protester stood in the middle of road 'slow walking' has been run over by a pick-up truck at the location of a controversial demonstration.

A video of the accident - filmed by campaigners who have been camping out near the Cuadrilla site in Little Plumpton, Lancashire - shows the man falling to the floor.

Witnesses said the man sustained minor injuries after pacing along Preston New Road practising a form of peaceful protest known as 'slow walking'.

The road - which has become the focal point for demonstrators since energy firm Cuadrilla set up on its shale gas site there in January - was closed by Lancashire Police after the incident.

(
Image:
Mercury Press and Media Ltd)

Officers confirmed the driver had been spoken to about the alleged collision but said no arrests had been made.

Cuadrilla said the truck was not one of its vehicles, nor was the driver one of its employees.

A protester who filmed the incident claimed campaigners used the 'slow walking' tactic as it is recognised as a method of lawful protest, but still manages to cause disruption.

Unemployed Danny Llew, 31, said: "[The protester] was doing slow walking. I've done it before. It has been used for quite a few years as a peaceful protest method.

(
Image:
Mercury Press and Media Ltd)
(
Image:
Mercury Press and Media Ltd)

"We try to create a form of obstruction on the highway.

"Sometimes we will stand on white lines and other times we might stand in the middle lane to slow down traffic.

"Regardless of the situation, pedestrians have the right of way."

He added: "It would have only taken a few minutes out of the driver's day to be safe, and the young man wouldn't have had to go to hospital.

(
Image:
Mercury Press and Media Ltd)

"The law is supposed to apply equally to everyone, but the police don't seem to care about the public.

"We are campaigning against fracking because of the impact it can have on the environment, which is the most important part of this, but also there's the impact it has on health, communities and it creates wealth that is going to benefit only certain people.

(
Image:
Mercury Press and Media Ltd)

"In the Netherlands, fracking has caused hundreds of earthquakes and Canada, Australia and America all have signs of destruction coming from this.

"We are all unified with the objective to stop fracking."

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: "We are aware of an incident on Preston New Road yesterday which has been described on social media as a 'hit-and-run' and would like to provide clarity to this incident.

"Upon leaving the fracking site, a works vehicle has come into contact with a campaigner despite the driver taking evasive action to try and avoid him.

"The driver of the vehicle was indeed spoken to by police, provided a negative breath test and all other personal and vehicle checks were correct and in order.

"At this time, the campaigner involved has declined to speak to police regarding this matter and we are not aware of any injuries being sustained during the incident.

"This matter was dealt with by an experienced Roads Policing Officer in accordance with force policy and as per any other non injury road traffic collision."

In a separate statement, Lancashire Police added: "A decision has been made to move to 24/7 coverage of policing the fracking site on Preston New Road for the coming days.

"This is due to increased campaigner activity at the site over the last week and is to ensure the safety of campaigners, Cuadrilla staff and members of the public.

"Due to the need for extra resources, a number of other forces will be providing mutual aid throughout July and August.

"We will have an additional three sergeants and 18 PCs from mutual aid which will help to ensure that resilience is retained within Lancashire whilst also providing an appropriate policing response to the fracking site."

A Cuadrilla spokesman said the firm had no further comment to provide.