The CLA, which represents landowners, farmers and rural businesses, has backed a call by National Parks England to ban sky lanterns.

National Parks England has stated there is “increasing concern about the use of sky lanterns and their potential impacts on the countryside” saying the risk to livestock was a serious concern as livestock farming is “the key to the fabric of many national parks”.

CLA President Henry Robinson said: “We have campaigned for many years on the dangers posed by sky lanterns, so we welcome National Parks England publicly stating they are a littering nuisance and its wish to see them banned.

“With the support of England’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.”