Council bans release of lanterns on its property

Paper lanterns and helium balloons are often released to mark significant events

Sky lanterns and helium balloons can no longer be released at land and properties owned by Scottish Borders Council (SBC), after councillors backed a ban.

It is believed to be the 25th of Scotland's 32 local authorities to prohibit their use amid concerns for animal welfare.

Paper lanterns and helium balloons are often released to mark significant events including weddings.

However, farmers and animal welfare groups say they pose a danger to animals and a fire risk.

SBC's move comes after charity Animal Concern approached councillors Jenny Linehan and Scott Hamilton.

They submitted a motion calling for a "complete ban on the release of sky lanterns and helium balloons from any and all of the land [the council] owns".

It was backed at a meeting of the full council last week.

Graeme Corbett, of Animal Concern, welcomed the move.

He said: "If an animal finds and ingests a lantern or balloon, whether it be a companion animal, a farm or wild animal, the frame can perforate an organ or oesophagus, causing internal bleeding which is likely to be fatal if unattended.

"There are also risks of asphyxiation and suffocation when it gets stuck in its windpipe.

"The bamboo frame of a sky lantern also poses the risk of entanglement and can be as deadly as a snare to an animal trapped in one, and the other risk, particularly with sky lanterns, is the fire risk."