EN-FORM Colchester have released a statement, urging people to stop the use of helium and to stop releasing balloons at celebrations.

Often used as a centre piece at significant events and celebrations, balloons being released into the atmosphere is classed as a form of littering and can pose a serious risk to wildlife, pets and livestock.

Balloons and balloon fragments, including biodegradable ones, can pose a severe risk to wildlife, especially marine animals.

Through photo-degrading into smaller pieces, the balloon remnants attract toxins that eventually build up into the food chain that we, as humans, also depend on. This is of greater concern to environmentalists, as scientists have recently found microplastics in human blood, for the first time.

In 2008, Colchester Borough Council banned the release of balloons on its managed lands, such as: sports and leisure grounds, parks, gardens, allotments, public open spaces, country parks, playing fields and beaches.

Despite the councils actions, there is currently no ban on releasing balloons on private land. Because of this, the negative effects of releasing of balloons into the atmosphere can still take their toll, with both ethical and environmental effects, such as littering and the tax money spent to combat it.

The En-form article further highlighted concerns around the non-essential use of helium in balloons. Helium is a precious, finite resource heavily depended on in the medical industry, used in MRI scanning. Helium is also needed in the manufacturing of many modern electronics, such as phones and laptops.

Grace Darke, projects manager at En-form said, "There are many people that want to find ways to make a difference to the planet and lower their impact to others, and not releasing balloons and not buying helium balloons is a really easy way to make a big difference. I'd like to hope that anyone I love never has to have an MRI, but knowing how limited our supplies of helium are and that the risk of running out means that vital services in the medical field could be affected, just because we want a disposable thing like a balloon. Especially when they are not essential and there are so many other lovely alternatives. It's also nice to not harm animals and i think most people don't want to do that".

In order to combat the use of helium balloons, En-form published a list of alternatives, such as: planting a flower or tree, making giant bubbles, sponsoring a bench and floating flowers down a stream.