BALLOONS and Chinese lanterns could be a thing of the past across 32 city parks if Gloucester City Council’s cabinet agree to ban their release on council-owned land this week.

Civic chiefs in Gloucester want to stop people letting off helium balloons and Chinese lanterns on council-owned land as they fear they’re a health and safety risk once landed.

Officials at the authority say drifting helium balloons are a threat when they deflate and drop back down to earth as they present a choking or digestion hazard.

They say balloons contribute to the death of marine wildlife, risk injury to animals and the environment.

On top of the restriction, Gloucester City Council’s cabinet will consider whether to ban the release of Chinese lanterns being released from authority-owned land.

Once lit, Chinese lanterns float upwards and drift away, landing when the fuel source runs out.

The uncontrollable nature of a Chinese lantern raises concern for the cabinet members as they “pose a number of potential hazards”.

More than 72 councils in the UK have banned all outdoor released of balloons and sky lanterns on their land, according to the Marine Conservation Society.

Balloon releases should be banned because they can entangle and choke wildlife to death, the Marine Conservation Society has said.

The society said it had found 53 per cent more balloon-related litter on beaches last year compared to 2015.

So far 72 of 418 local councils have agreed to prevent the release of balloons and sky lanterns on their land and the MCS urged others to do the same.

Gloucester City Council’s cabinet will consider the move on June 13.