Dates for 12 more trials were set today for campaigners arrested in the summer’s anti-fracking protests outside the Cuadrilla oil exploration site at Balcombe.

The MP Caroline Lucas and four other protestors will stand trial at Brighton Magistrates on March 24th next year, charged with obstructing the highway and a public order offence. Nine campaigners arrested on the same day will be tried on March 31st on similar offences. Simon Medhurst and Natalie Hynde, the daughter of The Pretenders singer Chrissie Hynde, will stand trial along with three others at Brighton Magistrates Court on 11 February next year.

Other trials will be heard at Horsham and Crawley Magistrates Courts. Today’s arrangements bring the total number of trials arising out of the protests to more than 20.