While it may have some of the richest mining heritage in the UK, Cornwall is unlikely to be suitable for controversial 'fracking' companies.

Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a technique designed to recover gas and oil from shale rock, with companies drilling down into the earth before a high-pressure water, sand and chemicals are injected into the rock at high pressure which allows the gas to flow out to the head of the well.

The process is carried out vertically or, more commonly, by drilling horizontally to the rock layer. The process can create new pathways to release gas or can be used to extend existing channels.

The process is causing huge controversy elsewhere in the UK, with protests and concerns over ground water and environmental effects if the process is ramped up at sites across the country.

However due to the geology of Cornwall there is little chance of it happening here.

Dr Howard, from the British Geological Survey (BGS), has said Cornwall is "not a viable place to frack" for shale gas as the majority of the underlying geology is granite.

Adding that "while there are "pockets of shale rock in Cornwall"  this rock has little organic matter, making it unlikely to be a "viable prospect".