Bath and North East Somerset Council has raised concerns with the government saying the fracking technique for exploiting underground supplies of shale gas might threaten the hot springs of the city of Bath.

The council is concerned about licences granted for the use of the technique to two companies looking for gas in the Mendip Hills to the south Bath. Department for Environment has granted licenses to both Eden Energy and UK Methane.

The two companies are now in the process of pplying to Mendip District Council for planning permission to begin test drilling. The technique involves fracturing rock formations by pumping in liquids at high pressure and has raised a lot of controversy over its effects on the surroundings and environment.

Bath and North East Somerset council leader, Paul Crossley said, "There is great concern that the process of fracking will result in the water courses leading to the natural hot springs being contaminated with pollutants from this process, or for the waters to adopt a different direction of travel through new fractures in the underlying rocks."

He also said that it can be said on the basis of expert advice that the companies have not though about the affects of the technique to deep-water sources that supply the springs in Bath. He pointed out that these springs are major tourists attraction and supports thousands of jobs in the city.