"It’s in our power to make a difference" - Geoffrey Edmond, National Wildlife Officer Coordinator, RSPCA

It is one of the biggest hazards our wildlife faces and sky litter – sky lanterns and balloons – is a significant part of that threat.

The lanterns can travel considerable distances and once they are in the air there is simply no way to control where they will finish their journey. They could land in the countryside, in a field of livestock, in a tree or even out at sea.

When these lanterns return to earth, they can burn animals, the thin wire structure can cause strangulation and if ingested, block digestive or respiratory tracts and cause internal bleeding.

It’s the same with balloon releases.

Many of us live within the rural areas of Yorkshire with lots of animals that rely upon the hay and haylage/silage that is made for feeding. The wire from sky lanterns can become bound up in the bale and subsequently end up in the stomach of an animal or caught up in baled straw used for bedding.

We also know of incidents where farm animals have been spooked by sky lanterns and been severely injured as a consequence.

The incidents we deal with may just be the tip of the iceberg and there may be animals out there that have been injured, affected, died and never been found.

The RSPCA is campaigning for people to write to their councils to ask them to ban the release of these sky lanterns and balloons on council land. I was pleased to learn that Richmondshire District Council banned sky lantern releases. I would urge more councils to help protect animals by banning sky lantern launches and balloon releases on their land.

We understand that people want to enjoy celebrations but there are other alternatives to sky litter. Think of planting a tree, taking part in a memory walk, creating a memorial plaque. It’s in our power to make a difference.

We can all be responsible and protect animals and property by not launching litter on a journey to an unknown and potentially lethal destination.