THE directors of petrochemical firm Ineos said they will pitch their plan to people on a personal level.

 

Senior figures will play a key role in talking to members of the public as the series of meetings gets under way next month.

Ineos director Tom Crotty said at the Grangemouth launch along with operations director Tom Pickering and chief executive Gary Hayward that there would be "a lot of tea at a lot of village halls".

As many meetings as possible will be led by Mr Pickering who said around 30 people would be employed on a site but that dozens of jobs would be supported locally.

He said Ineos will be "open and honest" in dealings with property owners and communities.

It is estimated up to 65,000 UK jobs could be supported by the industry in future.

Chief executive officer Mr Hayward said the move dismissed by some as a charm offensive was set out by Holyrood.

He said: "The Scottish Government wants the public to be fully informed about Shale gas production and we are determined to help.

Scottish Green MSP Patrick Harvie said: "Ineos and its slick marketeers can drink as much tea in as many village halls as they like but I'm quite sure they'll be politely shown the door.

"Public pressure and Green campaigning forced the Scottish Government and Labour to shift position on this issue.

"We need to keep up the fight to win a permanent ban to protect our communities and our climate."