Women farmers are calling for a ban on Chinese lanterns and are warning of their dangers on Bonfire Night.
The Women's Food & Farming Union (WFU) has joined the clamour from other farming organisations for a ban and has welcomed Government guidelines urging the public to think twice before using them.
It said the lanterns could threaten the health and wellbeing of livestock, cause fire damage, and create hazards to aircraft, shipping and the Coastguard. The WFU's Helen Bower said: "Chinese lanterns may look pretty in the sky, but the devastation they can cause is untold.
"We are extremely grateful to the Agriculture Minister, David Heath, for launching an inquiry into Chinese lanterns and we hope that in the very near future they will be banned. We hope everyone's Bonfire Night celebrations are a great success, but urge them to consider the consequences of using Chinese lanterns, both now and in the future."
