A DUDLEY councillor is calling on his colleagues to ban the sale and use of Chinese lanterns on council property, amid safety fears for wildlife, livestock and pets.

Councillor Adam Aston, who represents Upper Gornal and Woodsetton, is calling for a council-wide ban on the lanterns, which he says have the potential to cause 'catastrophic damage'.

The councillor, who works as a paramedic with West Midlands Ambulance Service, also represents Dudley at the West Midlands Fire Authority.

Cllr Aston said: "Sky lanterns can be purchased for as little as £1 each but can cause catastrophic damage. Releasing a sky lantern is an unregulated and uncontrolled way of putting fire in the sky, and who knows where it will land?

"These lanterns are illegal in a number of European countries but legal in the UK, so I'm calling on the council to ban the sale or use of them on any of its land or property, as have a number of other local authorities."

Cllr Aston's motion will be discussed by councillors at Dudley Council's next full council meeting on April 8.