West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has called for measures to end the use of ‘Chinese lanterns’ which caused a serious fire at a caravan park last month. More than 80 caravans were destroyed at Croft Farm Leisure Park, near Tewkesbury, after a massive blaze ripped though the park on November 23 causing hundreds of thousands of pounds in damage. An investigation by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Fire Service confirmed that the fire was started by a stray Chinese lantern. A blaze at a West Midlands waste recycling plant causing £6 million in damage was also started by a Chinese lantern. Harriett commented: “I have read the report drafted by the Fire Service and I support the comments by Chief Fire Officer Mark Yates who clearly wants action to prevent this sort of incident happening again. “As well as the fire risk, there is also evidence that they cause harm to livestock as animals accidentally eat the wire frames. “I would appeal to all event organisers to stop using these products. Sending a Chinese lantern into the air with no idea where it will land is like launching an unguided flame thrower into our beautiful countryside. Let's reduce the risk of future accidents immediately. “I would also hope that we can persuade shop-keepers to stop selling these products and take them out of circulation altogether. “I will be raising this case with Ministers in Parliament.”