RESIDENTS have been urged not to use Chinese lanterns.
 

Described as miniature hot air balloons powered by candles lit inside a paper canopy they fly away into the night sky.
 

They often land still alight and if they land on something flammable fire spreads.
 

Colchester’s station commander Lee Palfreyman said: “These lanterns pose a real risk of starting fires.
 

“They might look beautiful when first they take off, but it is when they land miles from where they were lit that they become dangerous.
 

“In this dry weather, fire spreads quickly and burns ferociously.”