‘Very harmful’: requires TV bosses to rethink after sky lanterns launched on prime-time present

Tv producers and scriptwriters have been urged to consider carefully after a prime-time TV present featured a sky lantern launch.

Preserve Britain Tidy is amongst these criticising the finale of ITV’s Doc Marten, set in Cornwall, through which individuals residing within the coastal village launched lanterns in reminiscence of misplaced ones. Within the episode, one lantern set the village Christmas tree alight; the chance of fireplace is one motive campaigners need such lanterns banned.

“The charity has voiced concern over an episode of ITVs’ Doc Martin, set on the Cornish coast, which has already attracted criticism from individuals on social media who’re involved in regards to the atmosphere,” a Preserve Britain Tidy spokesman mentioned.

“Yearly as much as 200,000 sky lanterns are launched within the UK, usually inflicting catastrophic harm to wildlife and habitat, and ending up as litter.”

H&H had reported extensively on the hazards of sky lanterns, together with the threat they pose to horses, livestock and wildlife, in addition to buildings, crops and people.

Preserve Britain Tidy labored with the NFU to create a petition asking the Authorities to ban sky lanterns, which has 96,000 signatures. Final 12 months, the charity launched a #BanTheFlamingThing marketing campaign.

Preserve Britain Tidy chief govt Allison Ogden-Newton OBE mentioned: “Injury to farms and property by sky lanterns is nicely documented as is hurt to animals. These floating flames are extremely harmful.

“We have to cease this very harmful type of littering and wish to see the sale of sky lanterns banned.

“Whereas we proceed to name on the Authorities to take motion, within the meantime, we wish to see scriptwriters and TV producers step up and consider carefully about their illustration of points affecting the atmosphere. Whether or not it’s portraying the discharge of sky lanterns or displaying characters dropping cigarette butts on the bottom, TV is normalising behaviours that do untold harm to the atmosphere and pose a big threat.”

Animal and equine charities, in addition to fireplace and rescue companies, have additionally been amongst these calling for a ban on sky lanterns.

Blue Cross head of public affairs Becky Thwaites informed H&H: “Sky lanterns current a big hazard to animals and the atmosphere, and may even show deadly as there isn’t any certainty the place they may land.

“They could look like innocent enjoyable however they will pose a critical fireplace threat, and are a risk to wild and home animals who can endure critical and painful accidents in the event that they ingest them or grow to be snarled in them. There have even been circumstances of horses being set alight by them.

“We again a coalition led by the RSPCA, fireplace chiefs and different organisations who’ve tirelessly been calling for a nationwide ban and would urge individuals to contemplate different methods of marking an event somewhat than using lanterns.”

H&H has approached ITV for remark.

You may also be serious about:

The proprietor is asking for a ban on the lanterns after the horse was discovered with a singed tail and

Horse & Hound journal, out each Thursday, is full of all the most recent information and stories, in addition to interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and coaching recommendation. Discover how one can get pleasure from the journal delivered to your door each week, plus choices to improve your subscription to entry our on-line service that brings you breaking information and stories in addition to different advantages.