FEARS over fatal injuries to animals and devastation to property have prompted New Forest organisations to appeal for people to steer clear of Chinese lanterns.

As well as being a serious fire risk free-roaming New Forest ponies and cattle can become injured after becoming entangled by the metal frames.

The frames can also get chopped up with hay and eaten by people’s horses or fed to New Forest ponies, which causes their stomachs to rupture and leads to an agonising death.

The flying candles can also set fire to thatched cottages and hay.

Graham Ferris, chairman of the Commoners Defence Association, said: “We are totally opposed to the release of Chinese Lanterns at any time, but releasing them now that we have seen the consequences and recognising the risks to the New Forest, hay crops and barns and inquisitive young foals, would be criminally irresponsible.”

Sue Westwood, clerk to the Verderers, said: “Some lanterns are made of bamboo rather than wire and bamboo splinters could cause injury to an inquisitive calf or foal that might try to chew it.”

Tony Hockley of the New Forest Equine Association said horse owners were also concerned about parts of the lanterns ending up in hay.

He said: “At the moment haymaking is well underway, and the risks of fire and of bits of sky lanterns’ bamboo or wire framework ending up in our hay are very serious concerns.”