Projects that will share up to £2 million of funding to improve the safety and sustainability of fracking operations in the UK have been announced.

They include new sensors to detect methane leaks while drilling, technologies for safe water treatment and automated systems to guide exploratory drilling processes.

The cash will be used to test the 19 chosen projects.

It part of the Government’s efforts to reassure the public about the controversial method of extracting shale gas and oil.

Energy Minister Matt Hancock said: “Unlocking the shale gas and oil that is deep underground is an opportunity to reduce carbon emissions, increase our energy security and create jobs. It must be done safely and securely so supporting innovation in this sector is vital to help us seize this opportunity.”

In 2013, the British Geological Survey estimated there could be 1,400 trillion cubic feet of gas in the Bowland shale.