As Bonfire Night approaches, the NFU is urging councils across England and Wales to introduce a total ban on sky lanterns to avoid fires, harm to animals and littering.

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Over 60 local authorities have already introduced bans and the NFU is encouraging councils to follow their example and ban the dangerous lanterns, which are frequently set off during winter around Bonfire Night, Christmas and the New Year.

 NFU Deputy President Minette Batters said: “The NFU has heard from plenty of farmers about the devastating   damage sky lanterns have caused to buildings and fields on their farm and the gruesome injuries they can cause   to livestock and other animals.

“Simply put, all of these lanterns must land somewhere and while they may look pretty in the sky, they also become unnecessary litter across our beautiful countryside.

“We have already seen numerous councils ban sky lanterns, who have rightly recognised the danger they pose, and I would encourage the remaining local authorities to follow the good examples set across the country.

“The NFU would like to see a total ban of sky lanterns across England and Wales to safeguard property and animals.”

Key dangers of Sky Lanterns :

• Animals eating lantern debris which can cause tears or punctures to internal organs leading to a potentially life-threatening situation
• Animals getting splinters in their skin which may cause infection
• Animals becoming trapped or tangled in debris
• Frames of lanterns can contaminate crops which are then unknowingly fed to animals
• Sky lanterns pose a significant danger to aviation traffic such as planes and helicopters. There are concerns that lanterns can be drawn into aircraft engines and can delay take-off and landing.
• Lanterns drifting across a night sky are also commonly mistaken by the public and coast guards for marine distress signals.

• Once a sky lantern is lit, nobody knows exactly where it will land. Fields of standing crops, hay and straw stacks, farm buildings housing animals, thatched roofs plus lots more are all at a significant risk of being set alight.

Anyone can get involved, to find out more visit the NFU Countryside website.