UPDATE: Campaign to use sky lanterns to thank NHS heroes labelled "total madness" byLincolnshire's police commissioner

UK firm Night Sky Lanterns has been seen encouraging people to set off its £6 Union Jack Lanterns on Sunday nights – claiming all proceeds would be donated to the NHS.

But the idea has been criticized by organisations across the UK.

Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones has warned county residents that releasing lanterns poses a serious risk and he is now renewing his calls for lanterns to be banned.

“I can’t say this strongly enough. Please, please, please don’t buy or use these hideous things,” he said.

“Think about it, setting light to something and releasing it is total madness. These things can cause fires, pose a serious danger to property and wildlife and can injure or kill farm animals.

“If you want to spend money supporting the NHS there are plenty of better ways to do that.”

Three councils in Lincolnshire have already banned the use of lanterns on their land – South Kesteven, Lincoln City and West Lindsey – and Mr Jones is writing to all county MPs asking them to support a total ban.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service is also asking residents to avoid using the sky lanterns when showing support for the NHS and emergency workers.

Matt King, Integrated Risk Manager at the fire service, said: “Lanterns are a fire hazard, pose a risk to livestock, agriculture, thatched properties and hazardous material sites.

“All emergency services are currently under increased pressure due to Covid-19. We believe the suggestion that people should set off highly flammable lanterns should be highly discouraged and we are asking the public to look for alternative ways to show their support for our fantastic NHS colleagues.”

The warning has been backed by the National Fire Chiefs Council, with chairman Roy Wilsher adding: “If a sky lantern causes a fire, it could see firefighters spending valuable time dealing with what could be a complex and large-scale incident.

“Time which could be spent supporting vulnerable people in the community, as part of the fire services response to Covid-19.”

An NFU spokesperson said: “Although this initiative may be well-intentioned and aims to raise money for the NHS, sky lanterns pose a serious fire risk and a danger to animals who may ingest the debris.

“The NFU has campaigned against their use as we have heard from dozens of farmers over many years about the gruesome injuries sky lanterns have caused to their livestock and other

animals, as well as devastating fire damage on farm to hay, straw and farm buildings.”