Anti-fracking protesters have blockaded the headquarters of energy company Cuadrilla while others have superglued themselves to a PR company used by the firm.

The action at Cuadrilla in Lichfield, Staffordshire, and at PR firm Bell Pottinger in central London comes on the first of two days of "mass civil disobedience" which campaigners have pledged to carry out to highlight their stance against fracking.

They have also reported to have delivered a wind turbine blade to Balcombe MP Francis Maude's constituency office.

 

#ReclaimthePower activists have brought a gift to the office of Francis Maude, Local MP for Balcombe http://t.co/nWbXewMmmk

— David Cullen (@humbleetc) August 19, 2013

Three disabled and two able bodied activists have reportedly blocked the main gate of Cuadrilla’s drill site in Balcombe.

Reports from No Dash for Gas said: "Four of the activists used d-locks and super-glue to attach themselves to the other activist’s wheel chair.

"They are surrounded by a human chain of 16 people and a further four large groups of activists blocked the surrounding road. The action is organised by Disabled People Against the Cuts."

A tweet from No Dash for Gas said: "Caroline Lucas MP is inside the police kettle outside #Cuadrilla rig side, and says she is prepared to be arrested @CarolineLucas #fracking"

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "The B2036 between Balcombe and Cuckfield has been closed by police this morning in order to help facilitate peaceful protest outside the gates of the Cuadrilla drilling site.

"Drivers are being advised to avoid that immediate area for the time being."

Activists are currently taking part in a six-day Reclaim The Power action camp in Balcombe, West Sussex, after Cuadrilla began carrying out exploratory oil drilling at the site.

Campaign group No Dash For Gas said six protesters superglued themselves to the glass door of Bell Pottinger at 8am and deployed reinforced arm tubes to stop anyone else getting inside.

Another activist climbed the High Holborn building and unfurled a banner bearing the words: "Bell Pottinger - fracking liars".

The protest group claims it has obtained a secret recording of a senior public relations officer at the firm admitting that the effect fracking will have on people's energy bills will be "basically insignificant" and said it was playing the recording on a loudspeaker.

Meanwhile, it said 20 protesters shut down the Cuadrilla site in Lichfield by blockading it with their bodies. It said two people inside the building had also hung banners from it saying: "Reclaim the power" and "Power to the people".

Kerry Fenton, who was one of those taking part in the protest in London, said: "Bell Pottinger has a long history of representing polluters, arms companies and dictators so it's entirely appropriate that Cuadrilla reached out to them when they wanted to sell fracking to the British public.

"Bell Pottinger has been responsible for a sustained campaign of corporate misinformation, but they were caught out by a secret recording that shows they don't even believe their own spin.

"This morning we're stopping their staff reaching their desks in the hope that, for one day at least, Bell Pottinger won't be able to mislead the British public about fracking. In truth it's polluting, expensive and dangerous."

A spokesman for Cuadrilla said of the Lichfield protest: "Three protesters have forced their way into our offices. The police are in attendance and are dealing with this matter.

"A small number of protesters are outside the building. Our office remains open."