Getty ImagesProposals from animal welfare campaigners to clamp down on launching sky lanterns and helium balloons have been backed by North Lanarkshire councillors.
The council was approached by Scottish charity Animal Concern, which asked for a ban on these objects being launched from any of its land or premises.
Balloons and lanterns can be harmful to animals including marine life and also constitute a fire risk.
Others including farmers, Keep Scotland Beautiful, and firefighters have also supported bans and many councils in Scotland have already introduced measures.
Sky lanterns and helium balloons can seriously injure animals which eat them, from internal injury or asphysxiation to poisoning.
Animals have also become ensnared in lantern frames or the strings of balloons, while sky lanterns also present a fire risk wherever they land.
A report to councillors also stated that these objects present environmental problems as launches are effectively littering, even if not expressly covered by current legislation.
Members of NLC’s Environment and Climate Change committee unanimously supported the proposals in the report. Licensing policy for public events will be updated accordingly.
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