Lantern festival organisers deny scam claims

A number of concerns had been raised about the event (generic image)

The organisers of lantern festival events set to take place in Birmingham and London in the summer have denied suggestions they are a scam.

A trading standards investigation was launched after concerns were raised by those who had bought tickets as exact locations had not been confirmed.

The release of lanterns on council-owned land is prohibited due to fire risks and potential harm to the environment, Birmingham City Council has said.

However, a spokesperson for Lantern Festival UK has said the event has been "carefully planned" and would take place on private land.

The event has been advertised as "the UK's first ever lantern festival" where hundreds of lanterns are released into the night sky followed by fireworks.

On its pre-sale registration page, more than 46,000 people had filled in a form to be notified when tickets were available, the host said.

Prices start at £35 for an individual, £50 for two people and £75 for a group of four.

Due to a lack of information on the firm's website, Keira Guise who purchased two tickets for £50 told the BBC that she feared she would not get her money back.

'Disastrous Wonka experience'

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute said on Wednesday that it had "all the hallmarks of something that isn't as legitimate as it is making out".

In response to the allegations, a Lantern Festival UK spokesperson said: "We share the public and media’s heightened awareness of event promotion, following the disastrous Wonka experience in Glasgow that was widely reported recently.

"Our events and theirs could not be more different.

"Our selection of lanterns is based on ensuring aesthetics that align with our advertisements and an effort to limit the environmental impact as well."

Organisers added that a number of locations had been chosen to "create a safe and environmentally friendly event for all" but new agreements with larger venues had been made due to the popularity of the event.

Sky lanterns have been banned from council-owned land in Birmingham since one was found to have started a huge fire at a waste site in Smethwick, which saw 200 firefighters tackle a blaze involving 100,000 tonnes of plastic waste.

Three of the firefighters required hospital treatment.

As a result sky lanterns are also opposed by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), as well as the RSPCA, which is concerned by the harm they can cause wildlife.

A spokesperson for the NFCC said "sky lanterns have been proven to start wildfires and property fires, kill or injure livestock".

They added: "NFCC does not believe any such lanterns should be used under any circumstances. Our advice is simple - don’t use them."

Details for the Birmingham venue are set to be released in the coming days, Lantern Festival UK have said.

It also told customers that they could receive a full refund if they return their tickets within 14 days of purchase.

The festival is billed to take place in Birmingham on 1 June and 13 July and in London on 26 May and 8 June.