Conservation group the Audubon Society has thrown its weight behind a bid to ban lighter-than-air balloon releases.

The society applauded a decision by the Corporation of St. George's to ban releases of helium-filled balloons at special events -- and called for the Bermuda Government to lead the way and slap a national ban on the balloons.

And Audubon urged members of the public to petition their MPs for a total prohibition on helium balloons.

The society's latest newsletter said: "Helium balloons are a fad and so obviously bad for the environment.

"It seems that these days everyone has to have them for birthday parties, public holidays or other special events, with the result that on a global scale, helium balloon releases now number in the tens of millions annually and have become a major contributor to world pollution.'' The newsletter article backed claims that balloon releases in Bermuda placed sea creatures at risk, because they often mistake them for jellyfish when they deflate and land in the sea.

The newletter said that it was "insane'' to promote littering -- especially balloons, which cannot be retrieved once released.

It added: "Adding to the insanity is that fact that we now have irrefutable and widely-publicised evidence that balloons can be deadly to wildlife, both on land and in the ocean.

"Sea turties and cetaceans are especially vulnerable and this additional problem only adds to the myriad of man-caused problems already affecting these species, perhaps tipping the scale towards their extinction.'' And the society pleaded with the public to "ignore the fad'' and use ordinary air-filled balloons -- which are easier to retrieve -- or find an alternative way to celebrate.

The article said: "Bermuda could even lead the world and go one step further.

"After all, we were the first to pass protective legislation for sea turtles in 1620.'' The newsletter added: "Sadly, this may be the only way to control the behaviour of those who aren't yet aware or just don't care.'' The Corporation of St. George's banned helium balloon releases within the city boundaries after environmentalists blasted Cup Match hosts St. George's Cricket Club for a balloon release at the event's opening ceremony.

Club bosses later promised that similar balloon releases would no longer be held at the ground.

St. George's Mayor Lois Perinchief also called for Government to investigate the feasibility of an Island-wide ban on balloon launches.

Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson later said that his Ministry discouraged balloon launches.

But he added that the problem had not yet reached the proportions where tougher measures needed to be taken.