A RESIDENT has called for restrictions to be placed on Chinese lanterns for fears they could interfere with overhead aircraft.

Liz Segal, of Vine Lane, Uxbridge, said: “When we came back from holiday last week we found a Chinese lantern in our back garden.

“We are right on the flight path of RAF Northolt. To be sending these things 500 feet into the air is dangerous.

“Not only that but, in Hillingdon, we are in close proximity to Heathrow Airport; people should not be doing this in this area,” said Ms Segal, whose fears are supported by the Civil Aviation Authority.

Earlier this year Manchester Airport warned against launching Chinese lanterns beneath its flight paths, saying they could bring down an aeroplane. It was backed by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Mark Swan, director of airspace policy at the CAA, said: “Unfortunately, sky lanterns do pose a very real safety risk to aircraft.

“They can be ingested into the engines of airborne aircraft and also become debris on runways.

“We urge anyone releasing lanterns to think carefully about the consequences to aviation, and if necessary to contact local airports well in advance to warn them of the impending release.”

Chinese lanterns are often set off at weddings, birthdays and other celebrations and drift up into the night sky, carried upwards by the heat until they burn out and drop to earth.

They are seen as a cheerful and safe alternative to fireworks.

There are no legal restrictions on the lanterns, but the issue of safety has previously been raised by deputy prime minister Nick Clegg in the House of Commons, because of problems they cause to farmers and their animals if the wire frames get entangled with harvested animal fodder.

Staff at RAF Northolt have reported that they collect two to three lanterns a week which have fallen on to the airfield off West End Road, Ruislip.

Hillingdon Council has asked residents to think twice about launching lanterns, particularly if they live close to RAF Northolt or Heathrow Airport.