AN acclaimed South African documentary that examines fracking is to be screened for the first time in Scotland this evening.

Unearthed, which has already scooped a series of awards since its debut in the summer, will be shown at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh while a second screening will take place at Falkirk Stadium tomorrow.

The dates were added to a UK tour as fracking has become an increasingly controversial issue in Scotland. The UK Government is pushing ahead with plans to make it easier for energy companies to drill despite strong opposition from the Scottish Government.

The film examines fracking in the United States and the implications for director Jolynn Minnaar's home region of the Karoo, in South Africa, where energy companies are keen to exploit what is believed to be one of the largest shale gas reserves in the world.

Fracking - the process of drilling into the earth before a high-pressure water mixture is used to recover gas and oil from shale rock - has been criticised by environmental campaigners.

A question and answer session with Ms Minnaar will be held after the invite-only screenings.

Ms Minnaar said: "My main focus is to stimulate conversations and encourage debate after each screening."