TORFAEN council voted against the use of fracking at a meeting earlier this week.

It is the first step to make the county a frack-free area, although the process is not yet officially banned.

The controversial method of shale gas extraction is rumoured to have potentially damaging effects on the environment, as water is blasted at high-pressure into the ground to release gas.

“As a council we have a responsibility to tackle climate change, protect the environment and look after the wellbeing of our communities,” said cllr Gwyneira Clark, executive member for planning and public protection.

“We recognise that relying on fossil fuels such as shale gas risks undermining action on climate change and diverting resources away from investment in renewable energy.”

Fracking and its usage has attracted much debate across the UK and the Welsh Government are currently looking into the side effects of the process.

Cllr Clark added: “We have agreed to support the Welsh Government in its precautionary approach to fracking."

The decision in Torfaen follows similar council actions in neighbouring Monmouthshire, and in the west of Wales in Ceredigion.

Campaign groups had previously taken their opposition to fracking online, creating petitions which received hundreds of signatories.

Torfaen Friends of the Earth, one of the main instigators of the anti-fracking crusade, said it represented a real victory.

“We are absolutely thrilled that Torfaen councillors have listened to residents and said a firm no to fracking in our area,” said Torfaen Friends of the Earth spokeswoman Carole Jacob.

“Fracking isn’t needed here or anywhere and has been linked to many problems such as increased climate change emissions, air and water pollution, increased lorry movements and decreasing house prices.”

The hope is that other counties will follow the example.

“We congratulate Torfaen council on becoming a frack free area and we urge other local authorities in Wales to follow their example,” said Bleddyn Lake, spokesman for Friends of the Earth Cymru.

“We also now urge the Welsh Government to declare an outright ban on fracking as soon as they have the necessary powers to put the whole of Wales on the frack free map.”