FRACKING in Buckinghamshire would be nearly as bad for the area as High Speed 2, a three times Parliamentary candidate believes.

Former Green Party contender John Laker has blasted the idea as 'disgraceful' and said the continual push for fossil fuels is just accelerating humanity's demise with the latest warnings about climate change.

The prospect of fracking in the county has been raised after The Free Press revealed this summer that Bucks will be included in an assessment which could lead to bids from developers next year.

Mr Laker, in his 60s, from Marlow, who tried three times to be elected as MP for Wycombe, said: “I think it's complete waste of time, energy, effort, you name it.

“I think it's an extremely negative thing to do, nearly as negative as HS2. It seems to be pushing the money in the completely wrong direction.”

HS2, now estimated to cost closer to £50bn, has been vehemently contested by Bucks County Council, with leader Martin Tett spearheading the campaign. The rail line would rip through Bucks' countryside heartland.

But the council is yet to decide its policy on fracking, with Cllr Tett tasking a working group with creating a detailed report with recommendations.

Despite the council fighting the Government over HS2, Mr Laker, thinks the result is inevitable if it wants fracking to take place.

Mr Laker said: “I think if BCC were approached by national Government to do something with regards to fracking in Bucks then BCC would say yes sir, no sir, three bags full sir.

“I think it's a nationally driven thing, rather than locally drive thing.”

The Prime Minister has backed fracking, saying he wants the whole country to benefit from the drilling for shale gas. He told the Telegraph last month that it could create wealth and cut energy bills and argued that there is international evidence to show it is not environmentally dangerous.

But Mr Laker outlined the reasons why Bucks residents should be concerned: “Firstly, we can't possibly use all the reserves we've got unless we want to kill the human race (due to climate change).

“Secondly it's probably the least energy efficient way of getting fuel and probably the most dangerous because apart from minor risk of earthquakes, there's the risk that the water table is contaminated by the chemicals and the high pressure water they put down the holes to get the gas out of the rock.

“It's a hugely expensive operation for very little reward.”

He praised Green Party Leader MP Caroline Lucas for making a stand and getting arrested at a fracking protest in Sussex. Asked if he would do the same if fracking came to Bucks, he said: “I might do but I'm getting a bit old for that kind of thing these days.”