Balloon blows 1,500 miles

Balloon blows 1,500 miles

The balloon was found 19 months after its release

A tiny balloon could earn itself a place in the record books after an epic 1,500 mile trip.

The helium-filled balloon was released with hundreds of others in a competition to celebrate the first birthday of Darlington College at Catterick in September 2001.

All of the others turned up within the two week deadline and the winning balloon had been found in the Czech Republic.

But college managers were amazed to receive a letter earlier this month from a man in Ukraine, saying he had found one of the balloons.

Officials at Darlington College believe it stayed aloft on the jet stream until it was found in the former Soviet Republic.

John Young, college head, said he was faced with a bit of a dilemma when a letter claiming the prize arrived in Russian - more than a year after the closing date.

Small prize

"I think he was ever the optimist in sending back the card, but I think he deserves full marks for doing so and we thought we would reward him for his efforts and enthusiasm.

"We sent him a goodie bag from the college with various items in that I hope he finds useful."

Mr Young said he believed the balloon could set two records - one for the distance and another for its 19 month long flight across Europe.

"I would be interested to know if any balloons have gone further than that.

"I was quite amazed that it went as far as it did."