CHINESE lanterns may look pretty but not everyone thinks so.

The Country, Land and Business Association in the North is urging people to boycott the decorative craft.

It says the threat of fire to land, property, people, livestock and pets outweighs the aesthetic appeal of the naked flame propelled lanterns, which are constructed from paper, wire and bamboo.

CLA regional director Dorothy Fairburn said: “Other countries – including parts of China – have seen fit to ban their use as the list of problems they have caused grows ever larger. I would urge anyone considering using sky lanterns to think again.”

The call from the CLA follows news that Defra is to investigate the level of risk Chinese lanterns pose to the environment, livestock and crops.

A Defra spokesman said: “Given the concerns and complaints that are being made about the damage sky lanterns can do, we want to find out just what effect they are having on farming and the environment.”