Are you thinking of marking your wedding or fete with a balloon release, this summer? The Hampshire and Wight Wildlife Trust is urging us to think again, in a bid to protect the environment. It says around 95% of balloons released into the skies rise to an altitude of 5 miles, before bursting and falling back to earth in small pieces, ending up as litter on the ground or out at sea. Most balloons are made of latex and it is estimated they take between 6 and 12 months to degrade. The Trust’s Marine Officer Jolyon Chesworth says many end up far out to sea, putting animals at risk. “Animals…can either eat them or become entangled in them. Animals who normally feed on prey on the surface of the sea, such as turtles, birds and dolphins, are particularly at risk as they can mistake the balloons for food. If swallowed, the pieces can become lodged in their throats or stomachs and lead to starvation.” Instead, we are being asked to consider piñata-style balloon popping, balloon sculptures, or even a virtual balloon race!