The paper lanterns contain lit candles and can fly for up to a mile after being sent up into the sky. Many also contain wire frames that can prove fatal to cattle if they get into feed.

Mr Hart raised the issue in Westminster after hearing about one West Wales farmer who found 10 lanterns in his fields in a three month period over the summer.

He has now been told that the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is working with trading standards to improve the safety and to make the lanterns more eco-friendly.

BIS carried out a survey into the lanterns and discovered incidents of property damage due to lanterns setting fire to fences, trees and roofs. It is feared that with nights drawing in and Bonfire Night on Friday even more Chinese Lanterns will be sent up into the sky.

"I would urge people to think twice before they use Chinese Lanterns," said Mr Hart. "They do look lovely but once they are out of sight they can cause all sorts of problems. "If the lanterns come down in silage fields then the metal wire frames can go through the forage harvester and end up being fed to cattle."

Now Mr Hart has had assurance from the Government that it is working to ensure the lanterns sold in the country are as safe as possible.

"The Agriculture Minister Jim Paice has told me that there is anecdotal evidence of the damage caused by these lanterns and that he is meeting with the farming unions to start a database of the problems.

"He has also told me that the Business Department will be working with local authority trading standards to encourage importers to improve the safety of these products and to make them fully biodegradable."