North Yorkshire County Council is proceeding with a move to forbid the release of sky lanterns and helium balloons on its land, despite admitting it has little power of enforcement.

Councillors proposed banning the items from being released on council-owned land amid fears they posed a “significant risk of harm to animals and the environment”.

However, council legal officers told a meeting of the corporate and partnerships overview and scrutiny committee last week the authority had limited enforcement powers.

Officers said such a ban could be written into lease renewals on land and property it owns but it was "highly unlikely" there would be anything to prohibit the activity in existing contracts.

They added that it would be better to use the motion as an engagement opportunity with the public.

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Councillors agreed to “proactively engage” with schools and businesses over the release of balloons and sky lanterns.

The motion will now go before a full council meeting to be voted on at a later date.

Hundreds of other local authorities have already introduced bans.

In January last year, South Kesteven District Council prohibited the release of lanterns and balloons in council-owned parks and open spaces.

Nottinghamshire County Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Lancashire County Council are among others that have adopted bans.

Although the move has not given authorities the power to enforce the ban, some use it to “educate the public” on alternative ways to mark special occasions.