LANDOWNERS across the region have thrown their weight behind a campaign to stop people launching sky lanterns.

The umbrella group National Parks England wants to see such lanterns – effectively small hot-air balloons over a naked flame – banned.

It claims that as well as causing a littering problem the lanterns are a threat to livestock and pose a serious fire threat.

And now the regional CLA – Country Land and Business Association – has gives the parks its full backing and called on the Government to take action.

Its regional director for the north, Dorothy Fairburn, said her group, which represents thousands of landowners, farmers and rural businesses, had campaigned on the issue for many years.

She added: “With the support of our region’s national parks and an increasing number of local authorities banning the release of lanterns from council-owned land, we hope the Government will take note of a growing desire to see the use of these flying bonfires banned.

“We urge people to think twice about the implications of releasing a naked flame with no control over where it will land.

“Without an outright ban, it is up to the public to do the right thing and use other more environmentally-friendly ways to celebrate an event.”

National Parks England wants the intentional release of sky lanterns banned by getting the Government to officially classify it as littering.

“Fire is a very real concern in England’s National Parks, which contain many large and internationally important areas of heather moorland,” said a spokesman.

Accidental fires can have a devastating impact on the special wildlife, vegetation and landscape of these areas.

“This was demonstrated by the accidental fire at Fylingdales in the North York Moors National Park 2003 which burned for five days, completely destroying 250 hectares of moorland.”