A council is banning sky lanterns and will ask the government to make fireworks quieter in an effort to protect animals.

Councillors at Swale Borough Council agreed to the measures in line with a national campaign run by the RSPCA and will also be asking suppliers in the area to stock quieter fireworks.

The council did not, however go as far as banning the use of fireworks at events run by the council, as per an amendment to a motion previously put forward for consideration by Conservative councillors last year.

Cllr James Hunt (Con) - who had previously proposed the motion - said of its reintroduction: "I don't think we should look at being killjoys and stopping fireworks completely.

"I think we are better to do as other councils have done and encourage these quieter fireworks rather than stopping people having fun."

Councillors raised concerns about trying to intervene on events such as the Faversham Carnival parade - which is run by Faversham Town Council - deciding it was best to let events like these to have fireworks so long as they were advertised in advance.

Cllr Hannah Perkin (Lib Dem), who put forward the motion during a virtual meeting on Wednesday, January 6, said: "I would still like to see us commit to not using fireworks at any Swale display.

"The council have agreed not to use sky lanterns and when we're talking about the percentage of animals that are affected I think it's fair to say that the impact is as damaging, if not even more damaging, than the impact of sky lanterns."

Councillors agreed to write to the government encouraging them to introduce legislation reducing the maximum noise limit to 90dB for fireworks sold to the public.

The council will also canvass suppliers in the local area to stock quieter fireworks and promote public awareness campaigns about their impact on animals and vulnerable people at relevant times of the year.

Evidence given by the RSPCA shows 62% of dogs, 54% of cats and 55% of horses show signs of distress during firework displays.

The charity has called on councils to better manage the use of fireworks since 2019.

Escaped animals, unusual finds and news from the RSPCA can all be found here.

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