Derbyshire council bans release of sky lanterns and balloons on its land

According to the authority, sky lanterns pose a ‘huge fire risk’ and, along with balloons, are a choking hazard for wildlife and litter the environment ‘needlessly’.

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Councillor Jeremy Kenyon, cabinet member for climate change, said: “The severe negative impacts of releasing sky lanterns and balloons on the wildlife and environment needs to be stopped.

“There are many other environmentally friendly ways to celebrate and mark occasions than releasing objects which cause harm and distress.

“We are committed to doing all we can to keep our district clean, safe and we are improving it where we can by introducing measures such as these to safeguard our wildlife.”

Residents can report littering and other offences on the council’s website at any time by visiting www.ne-derbyshire.gov.uk

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