THIS is an open letter to Barclays re Barclays’ investment in a fracking company granted permission this week.

I am writing to inform you of my decision to close my account. Barclays bank owns 97 per cent of the company Third Energy, which was granted permission to frack in North Yorkshire this week, despite 99.2 per cent of respondents’ objections.

Residents’ concerns include devaluation of houses, destruction of peaceful rural living by heavy HGV traffic and the health effects of pollution (to name but a few issues). As long as Barclays is involved in the imposition of this horrendous industry on unwilling communities I cannot in good conscience utilise any of its services.

In my home county of Wiltshire we also face the threat of the unconventional gas industry. Should it take hold in the north, it won’t be long before it occurs here, therefore Barclays’ support of the industry is particularly distasteful to me.

DR REBECCA MARTIN, Harvard Way, Amesbury