Shropshire farmer calls for Chinese lanterns ban

An angry Shropshire farmer today claimed his buildings and crops could have gone up in flames after 20 sky lanterns landed in his field.

Will Forrester, of Higher Heath near Whitchurch, discovered lanterns strewn across one of his fields at Colehurst on Tuesday morning.

Mr Forrester said it was fortunate the lanterns did not set alight his 64-acres of winter barley, which could have cost the family nearly £20,000.

National Farmers' Union officials are calling for a ban on sky lanterns, also known as Chinese lanterns, as they say they can kill livestock, damage the environment and destroy buildings and crops.

Following complaints from farmers, including many who have lost livestock or seen property damaged, the NFU is lobbying Government about lanterns and speaking with retailers, manufacturers and the public about the potential dangers.

Mr Forrester said: "If this crop had gone up and the wind had fuelled and taken the fire it would have been a total loss.

"There are people's homes nearby as well as farm buildings which could have been burned to the ground. We were fortunate but it could have been a disaster."

He added: "The fields here have been bone dry and had the crops caught fire it would have been unstoppable.

"Once they're released they just float away on the breeze, no-one takes responsibility. The solution would be to ban them."