AN energy firm paused fracking operations for the second time this week at a site in England due to underground tremors.

Cuadrilla said a “series of micro-seismic events”, the largest measuring 0.9 local magnitude, were recorded near its site in Little Plumpton, Lancashire, yesterday afternoon.

A spokesman said: “This occurred while we were hydraulically fracturing and it will be classed as a ‘red’ event under the traffic light system operated by the Oil and Gas Authority.

“Cuadrilla has paused and will continue to monitor micro-seismicity for at least 18 hours after the event was recorded. Well integrity has been checked and verified.”

On Tuesday, operations stopped after a tremor of 1.5 local magnitude – the largest recorded at the site.