Eleven anti-fracking protesters will be the first to stand trial for offences allegedly committed outside the exploratory drilling site in Balcombe.

The eight men and three women did not have to attend Crawley Magistrates' Court today although a handful of protesters, some of them defendants, including former page three girl and politician Marina Baker, turned up with banners and sat outside the building.

Michael Atkins, 37, from Westbury, Wiltshire, Frances Crack, 31, from Cardiff, Paul Deacon, 50, from Worthing, West Sussex, Samantha Duncan, 30, and Richard Millar, 30, both from Brighton, Ian Freeston, 52, Ezra Lynch, 31, and Mark Mansbridge, 51, all from Lewes, East Sussex, Justine Preece, 44, from Pontypridd, Wales, and Marcin Swiercz, 35, and Nancy Walker, 25, both from London, are all charged with obstructing a highway on July 26.

Atkins is also charged with assaulting a police officer on the same day.

The defendants are alleged to have pulled a log in front of the entrance of the Cuadrilla drilling site in Balcombe, which they sat on or around, blocking the way.

Atkins is accused of throwing a cup of tea over a police officer as she tried to remove the protesters from the log, the court was told.

The defendants were released on unconditional bail and the case was adjourned until January 7 for a three-day trial at Brighton Magistrates' Court.

A further 18 defendants, who are alleged to have committed offences at the site on August 19, including failing to comply with section 14 of the Public Order Act, obstructing a highway and assaulting a police officer, had their cases adjourned for a pre-trial review on October 16.

Another six protesters accused of offences at the London Road site on August 1 also had their hearings adjourned to the same date.