A group of children made lanterns at an activity centre to light their way on a forest walk.
The group fashioned their lanterns out of jars at Suntrap Forest Education Centre, in Church Road, High Beach, on Friday.
The group then used their creations to light their path on a guided walk through Epping Forest.
Sky lanterns, or Chinese paper lanterns, have recently been banned from being released from any Essex County Council property and head of Suntrap, Kerry Rolison, said she would never release them as they endanger wildlife.
She said: “Sky lanterns pose a threat to animals, as they can cause injury, suffering, and death, through ingestion, entanglement and entrapment.”
She added: "Marine life is endangered by lanterns falling into the sea.
"Sky lanterns can cause fires, which destroy habitats and set animal housing, feed and bedding alight."
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