MP urges public against releasing sky lanterns for the NHS and calls for UK-wide ban

South Lakes MP Tim Farron is urging people not to go ahead with plans to release hundreds of sky lanterns this weekend which could cause enormous damage to the environment.

The plans to release sky lanterns every Sunday to support the NHS during the coronavirus crisis have come under heavy criticism from firefighters, farmers, and the RSPCA.

Tim said: "It's obviously a good thing that people want to say a big thank you to our amazing NHS and social care workers.

"But I would strongly suggest that releasing sky lanterns, which are very dangerous to the environment and wildlife, is not the right way to go about it.

"Sending a Chinese lantern into the air with no idea where it will land is like launching an unguided flame thrower into our beautiful countryside and the Government should introduce steps to ban them.

"The best way we can thank the NHS is for us to continue to stay at home and save lives."