Landowners want lantern controls

The wire framed lanterns '“ which lift into the air with a lighted candle inside them '“ have become a popular addition to wedding festivities, but the CLA says people need to understand the threat they pose to livestock and to standing crops.

The problem is that the paper lanterns burn out leaving the wire frames to fall to earth. Sales of the lanterns are rising year on year and the CLA says users should consider the potential for injury to livestock and damage to crops.

A landowner in West Sussex said: "They pose a risk to animal welfare and they are a fire hazard too. We've had seven altogether in the past month and the wires are so thin that they could get around an animal's foot and embedded in the skin. Also, if one of these drops into a silage field or a hay crop, your cattle could be eating wire."

A local land agent added: "I have now specifically added a contract clause in venue letting agreements banning such things. Not always popular I'm afraid."

So far two deaths have been reported: a cow died after swallowing the remains of a lantern in Cheshire, which ruptured its stomach, and a foal in Shropshire had to be put down after it injured itself on a fence because it had been scared by one of the decorations.

Arable farmers have raised concerns that the lights could set fire to fields of standing crops or dry hay and straw in summer, or event thatched roofs. While the lanterns should be airborne until they have burned out, they can get caught in trees or buildings before then.

CLA South East regional director Rupert Ashby said: "We don't want to be killjoys. We just want people to think what happens to them once they land, just as they might consider the consequences of leaving anything behind in the countryside.

"Insisting on versions with a biodegradable alternative to wire would make a huge difference. The fire risk remains however, so people should think carefully about the surroundings before letting them off."