Campaigners will be expressing their opposition to fracking when they gather outside a Tory party regional conference in Chester this weekend.

Frack Free Upton is moving its usual information stall to opposite the Mercure Hotel, Whitchurch Road, Christleton, Chester, where the Conservative Cheshire and Wirral Area Conference is taking place on Friday evening and Saturday day.

Many residents are concerned about plans for an exploratory coalbed methane borehole in their community, fearing it may lead to a full-scale fracking operation. But the Conservative government holds a pro-fracking position although at a grass-roots level some party members are opposed.

A spokesperson said: “Please come along to show support and the local opposition to fracking. We will be there from 10am to 4pm (Saturday).”

Past speakers at the Conservative event have included high profile names including Chancellor George Osborne, Lord Chancellor Michael Gove, former Secretary of State Eric Pickles, ex-MP and former employment minister Esther McVey and the Tories’ 2015 political strategist Lynton Crosby.

Eric Pickles, then Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, addresses the Cheshire and Wirral Area Conference in 2013

This year, Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Education, will address members who have paid £50 per head to attend the three-course dinner on the Friday evening as well as the conference.

Other highlights include a session hosted by party deputy chairman Rob Halfon entitled ‘Securing Our Party’s Future’, MPs’ questiontime, MEPs’ questiontime and a discussion hosted by Baroness Williams of Trafford entitled ‘Devolution and the Northern Powerhouse’.

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Among the politicians attending and taking part are MPs Graham Evans (Weaver Vale), David Mowat (Warrington South), David Rutley (Macclesfield) and Fiona Bruce (Congleton). North West MEPs going along are Sir Robert Atkins, Sajjad Karim and Jacqueline Foster.

Cheshire Police & Crime Commissioner John Dwyer has addressed the Cheshire and Wirral Area Conference previously

Cheshire’s Tory Police and Crime Commissioner John Dwyer, who is seeking re-election this year, will be addressing the audience as will Darren Mott, director of campaigning from Conservative Campaign Headquarters.

One blurb for the event reads: “Join us for one of the highlights of West Cheshire Conservative Future’s calendar – the Cheshire and Wirral Area Conference. This is always a great event, attracting over 300 Tories from the local area, with a great line up, including ministers, local MPs, local MEPs, councillors and local activists.”