Britain's approvals for two vast North Sea oil and gas fields were overturned by a Scottish court on Thursday, a significant win for environmental campaigners that leaves the decision on whether the projects should go ahead with the government.

A Scottish court on Thursday ruled against the development of two oil and gas fields in the North Sea in a "historic win" for two environmental groups.

The Labour government has banned issuing new oil and gas licenses in the North Sea. Ministers accepted that approving Rosebank and Jackdaw were unlawful on environmental grounds and withdrew from the case before today’s verdict.

Serica Energy, a top-10 UK oil and gas producer, is still willing to invest in the nation’s North Sea even after the rising tax burden prompted other companies to shift their focus elsewhere.

Britain’s two biggest offshore oil and gas developments have been blocked from producing any fossil fuels after a judge quashed their production permits in a row over greenhouse gas emissions.