FLOATING flytipping - that is how a father-of-three described the nine Chinese lanterns he discovered in his fields near to a herd of goats.

Scott Smythe and his 13-year-old daughter Phoebe discovered the lanterns scattered across the fields in Blacksmiths Lane, Cropthorne, Pershore on Sunday morning.

The pair feared that more of the lanterns could have been eaten by Phoebe's goats but fortunately all the animals seem to be well.

Mr Smythe said: "If I was to drive to someone's house and throw these lanterns in their front garden they would soon be upset about it.

"We woke up on Sunday morning and wondered what all these things were scattered over the field - they looked like white bin bags.

"It was quite a shock to come out and see them all.

"I think they are the "eco friendly" version but they still have wooden bits and string which the goats would have eaten.

"We don't know if they did land in their field because if they had the goats would have probably eaten them but they seem okay so I think they might have missed it fortunately."

The 41-year-old said he did not know where the lanterns had come from but he and his daughter spent about half an hour clearing them all up.

Chief fire officer Mark Yates called for an urgent review of the lanterns after a devastating fire destroyed more than 80 caravans at Croft Farm Leisure Park, Bredons Hardwick, near Bredon, in November 2013.

Mr Smythe agreed that something needed to be done about them: "I can't see the draw of them because I see them on the same level as flytipping.

"If the burner part had landed in straw or hay it could have started a fire - I think they should be banned personally.

"One of my main customers had a fire at their premises caused by one of these Chinese lanterns which caused £5 million worth of damage.

"We're lucky they didn't cause a fire here and haven't been eaten by the goats."

Worcestershire County Council has adopted Marine Conservation Society's policy on sky lanterns and balloons and they are considered litter if they are not disposed of correctly.