Bonfire Night event organisers in Suffolk are being urged by the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) to follow the lead of The Royal Parks and ban sky lanterns from festivities,

The Royal Parks, which manage Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill in London, have said that lanterns brought into the parks on by visitors would be liable to be confiscated by the police, on the grounds that, when lit, they can be dangerous in densely populated areas and cause damange to the parks.

CLA regional director Nicola Currie has now called on event organisers in the East to follow suit, warning that sky lanterns also pose a threat to crops and livestock.

Mrs Currie said: “No-one wants to be seen as a spoilsport, but these flying bonfires are damaging property and crops, and harming and killing cattle.

“We want a ban for the sake of farming, wildlife, the environment and property owners. To help in this, the CLA East office is asking those who have experienced problems from sky lanterns to contact east@cla.org.uk to help collect evidence to take to Government.

“In the meantime, we are asking district councils to add a clause to the Entertainment Licences they issue prohibiting the use of sky lanterns.”