A FORMER director of children's services at East Riding Council has been charged in connection with an anti-fracking protest near Walkington.
John Mager, 63, and his wife Valerie, 64, will appear in court later this month after they were arrested during the protest.
Both have been charged with causing intimidation and annoyance contrary to section 241 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act.
Members of the Hull and East Yorkshire Frack Off group have been at Crawberry Hill, near Walkington, since Monday.
Rathlin Energy, which is working at the site, says it is not fracking and has no plans to do so.
However, campaigners say they want an explanation after the Environment Agency granted permits for the company to test at the site and another in West Newton, near Aldbrough.
Mr Mager claims he was meditating when he was arrested on Thursday afternoon.
He said: "I was arrested while meditating peacefully. It was not necessary to arrest me.
"I will continue to support the Crawberry Hill camp. However, we are both now banned from Walkington and the roads around the camp until our court appearance.
"Fracking is wrong, bad for local landowners and all of us using Yorkshire Water and (is) only hastening the destruction of future lives by carbon emissions."
Mrs Mager said: "East Yorkshire is one of the last corners of England's green and pleasant land.
"I am a Buddhist so for the sake of the place where I was born and out of compassion for all those who live here I support the protectors and will use non-violent protest as I see morally right."
A Humberside Police spokeswoman said: "The movement of contractors on to the site was being hampered by protesters demonstrating against fracking.
"Police engaged with the protesters and asked them to move. Two people were arrested and taken from the site."
Both have been released on bail and will appear at Hull Magistrates Court on May 28.
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