China crisis for lantern-hit farmers

As the Chinese Year of the Rabbit gets under way today the National Farmers' Union is urging revellers to think twice about releasing Chinese lanterns into the countryside – a practice which can have tragic implications for livestock and threaten crops.

NFU director of communications Erika Coghlan said: "Chinese New Year is one of the most vibrant and colourful events in the calendar and thousands of people will want to take part.

"However, we really hope that people will think twice about releasing Chinese lanterns because they can cause cattle deaths and serious fires, as well being a litter nuisance."

A third of Britain's fire brigades have dealt with emergency call-outs caused by the burning paper novelties and the Civil Air Authority and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency have also all reported issues with the lanterns.