WARNINGS have been issued over the potential threat Chinese lanterns can cause to aircraft and animals.

It comes as the Chinese New Year is set to be celebrated, starting today.

Chinese lanterns have been traditionally used for nearly 2,000 years.

The lanterns are generally made from paper, supported by a frame that incorporates a holder at the base for a solid fuel heat source.

They can often lift to a height of over 1,200ft and fly for up to 20 minutes and once the fuel cell has expired the lanterns float back to earth.

They can potentially cause harm to cattle, pose a fire risk and can be confused with distress flares.

And people living under the flight paths of airports are being urged not to use the lanterns as they could bring down a plane due to how unguided and wind dependent they are.

Over 60 lantern remnants were found on Manchester Airport runway over the course of the festive season.

The lanterns can cause a safety risk to aircraft if the lanterns get sucked into the aircraft’s engine.

Some European countries, including Austria and Germany, have already banned the lanterns but there are currently no restrictions in force in Britain.

Cumbria County Council says there are some poor quality lanterns on sale which lack sufficient safety and operating instructions and there is a growing demand by some in the UK for a ban on the sale and use of these lanterns.

Trading Standards want retailers and importers to sell only 100 per cent biodegradable lanterns with no metal wires.

Angela Jones, Cumbria Trading Standards manager, said: "We would ask traders to ensure that any sky lanterns sold are as safe possible and are 100 per cent biodegradable.

"Lanterns might look pretty but they are potentially very dangerous to people, animals and livestock."

Cumbria County Councillor Gary Strong, Cabinet member for the county’s fire and rescue service and trading standards, said: "We want people to be enjoy the Chinese New Year celebrations but we urge people to think carefully before releasing these lanterns and consider the consequences.

"It’s not possible for anyone using these lanterns to control the actual direction they take or where they will land and there is no guarantee that the fuel will be fully extinguished and cooled when the lantern eventually lands – this can present farmers and landowners as well as firefighters with a real fire hazard."

Tim McDermott, Manchester Airport’s Operations Director, said: “Chinese lanterns are becoming more and more popular but they are completely unguided and wind dependent and even the ones made out of bamboo contain metal parts.

“Although we haven’t had any reported incidents at the airport, given their popularity particularly at this time of year it is a risk we would like people to be aware of and think through the location from where they release lanterns.

"You don’t need to be an engine specialist to know that a piece of metal getting into an aircraft engine can’t be good news.

“Unlike fireworks, nobody actually knows what range and height they can manage and pilots say they have seen them at several thousand feet.

"Fireworks and lanterns can dazzle a pilot at a critical moment in the flight.

"It is not our intention to be party poopers but we have to protect the safety of passengers, aircraft and our neighbours.”

The Country Landowner’s Association in the North has added its voice to calls for people to celebrate Chinese New Year without releasing sky lanterns.

The association, whose members own over half the rural land in England and Wales, says that the main concern is the fire risk as the lanterns carry a naked flame.

Director Douglas Chalmers said: “Airports, coastguards, farmers, firefighters and landowners have all expressed concern, but everyone will need to keep an eye on the sky over the days following February 3, to ensure property is safe.”

Wildlife experts have previously asked people to think twice before using lanterns after reports they have been ingested by animals.