‘DEADLY’ SKY LANTERNS COULD BE BANNED IN THE BOROUGH

SKY lanterns could be banned from use on public land across Nuneaton and Bedworth.

Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council could follow the suit of local authorities across the country, including Warwickshire County Council, and stop the use of the popular lanterns on land it owns.

A resident wrote to the Town Hall saying that fallen lanterns can have ‘deadly consequences’ for animals and the environment.

She emailed council leader, councillor Dennis Harvey, saying: “Many thousands of sky lanterns are now sold in the UK each year, a number of them intended for mass lantern release to mark an occasion.

“While these lights shows can look appealing, most people are unaware of the deadly consequences fallen lanterns can have for animals and the environment.

“Birds and wildlife can become entangled in the wire or bamboo frames leading to injury or death and livestock can accidentally eaten fallen lantern parts which can cause internal bleeding, leading to a slow painful death. There is also a risk to sea life as many of fallen lanterns end up in the sea.”

It goes on to conclude: “The RSPCA and many other organisations including the Marine Conservation Society, Women’s Food and Farming Union, Soil Association and National Farmers Union all support a ban on sky lanterns.”

Cllr Harvey has asked the council’s planning and environment overview and scrutiny panel to look into a potential ban.

The panel is due to meet on Thursday, January 18.