AN ABERYSTWYTH environmental group has called for fund-raisers to think twice before releasing helium balloons amid fears that marine life is being put at unnecessary risk.

The call from the Aberystwyth Beach Buddies group – which is now calling on Ceredigion to ban the practice – comes following the story of a north Wales woman who was planning to release 1,000 biodegradable balloons to raise money for leukaemia, diabetes, breast cancer, motor neurone disease, Parkinson’s and dystonia charities.

The plan was rebuked by the organiser of the Aberystwyth Beach Buddies group, Sian Obermaier – who has started the petition calling for Ceredigion council to ban balloon releases in the county.

She said the practice can be “extremely harmful”, adding that volunteers had removed “literally hundreds” of balloons from Aberystwyth’s beaches, with balloons among the “most commonly found types of marine debris”.

“We are aware that fundraisers such as this brave lady have the best of intentions and don’t wish to cause any offence at all, but we respectfully ask that fund-raisers opt for eco friendly alternatives,” she said.Find the petition on the link below and read the full story in next week's Cambrian Newswww.change.org/p/ceredigion-county-council-please-ban-harmful-balloon-releases-in-ceredigion.