A protest will be held today against fracking company Cuadrilla as it plans to start exploratory oil drilling in an English village.
Local residents and anti-fracking campaigners will join the demonstration at Balcombe, Sussex, and again this weekend, when test drilling is expected to start.
A so-called Great Gas Gala will be held, close to the village school, to protest against fracking and the likelihood of a huge increase in the number of lorries in the area.
Cuadrilla has begun delivery of the main drill rig to the Balcombe site, saying that the delivery and erection of the rig and associated components.
The company said: "Cuadrilla's forthcoming activity at Balcombe is for exploratory drilling only and is a temporary operation that will not include hydraulic fracturing. Should Cuadrilla wish to undertake further activity, they would need to apply for new permissions and licences from the relevant regulatory authorities.
"We have communicated what we are doing to the local community through information sessions and written communications. Furthermore we have been in regular contact with the parish council and other local councils as well as going through all the necessary planning and permit applications to undertake this work.
"We will continue to inform the community of our actions as we progress."
West Sussex County Council granted Cuadrilla planning permission to undertake exploration work in 2010.
Cuadrilla has said that if it finds any supplies, a series of extensive technical, environmental and public consultations would take place before any further decisions are made.
"Although this summer's work will be unobtrusive, we're fully aware that local people will have many questions about our plans and we'll do our best to answer all of them," said Francis Egan, Cuadrilla's chief executive. "During the coming months, we will discuss our plans with residents and they will be able to visit the site to see for themselves what our work involves."
Friends of the Earth South East Regional campaigner Brenda Pollack said: "Drilling in the Home Counties brings the threat of fracking geographically and politically closer to Westminster.
"Government plans to give drilling firms tax breaks and a virtual planning carte blanche highlights its determination to push ahead. Ministers must now be prepared for real resistance from their own heartlands.
"Shale gas and oil are not the solution to our energy challenges. They threaten local communities, pollute our atmosphere and there's plenty of evidence they won't bring down fuel prices.
"It's time to end the nation's costly addiction to dirty fossil fuels and build a clean future based on energy efficiency and harnessing the power of the wind, waves and sun."
Cuadrilla said it had been granted a permit to explore its site in Balcombe.
A statement said: "Cuadrilla is pleased the Environment Agency has granted a mining waste permit for its exploration site at Balcombe. Cuadrilla's planned activity will fully comply with the requirements and conditions set out in the permit.
"Cuadrilla will continue to inform the community of its activities."