Farmer in plea to avoid balloon releases

Yvonne Scales said balloon releases could be fatal to wildlife and livestock

A farmer has pleaded with the public to avoid performing balloon releases.

Yvonne Scales, who owns a small farm between Darlington and Northallerton, said she had discovered six or seven balloons in her fields over the last year.

She warned of potentially fatal consequences for wildlife and livestock, adding if a balloon gets caught in one of her horses winter overcoats it could get spooked and seriously hurt itself.

Darlington Council said there was no specific law against releasing balloons but it would "always ask people to consider alternatives".

Ms Scales has horses, sheep and cows on her land.

She posted a plea on a Darlington Facebook group after she found another balloon wrapped around a fence.

"Some people do not accept that it's the wrong thing to do," she said, after some people commented that they should be allowed to mourn in their own way.

"That balloon goes up into the sky, it vanishes from your sight, but it does come back down to earth."

'Environmental damage'

Ms Scales said she wanted the Countryside Code to be taught in schools in nearby towns, like Darlington.

This includes statutory guidance to avoid damaging or disturbing nature.

"There is more of a disconnect between countryside and and town and it's not their fault," she said.

"If you don't know, how were you supposed to know whether it's right or wrong?"

A council spokesperson said: "We are aware of the environmental damage that can be caused by balloons and would always ask people to consider alternatives".

They added the council had never taken any form of action against a balloon release.