Upside down balloon has lift off

The balloon has caused some commotion Enlarge Image

A topsy-turvy take on the world of hot air ballooning has caused a stir above the skies of Bristol.

Its city-based creators believe it is the world's first upside down hot air balloon.

But an ambulance was called during its first flight, as onlookers reported that it had capsized.

Designers Cameron Balloons' director, Don Cameron, said the basket on top is only a dummy, the pilot is hidden beneath the balloon in the real basket.

'Caused a stir'

The balloon, costing about £50,000, was made for a European engineering manufacturer to boost its advertising potential.

It needs careful controlling as the pilot's basket is located inside a recess in the fabric meaning the view is restricted.

Mr Cameron told BBC News that the balloon always gets a reaction.

"We built two balloons, one upside down and one the right way up," he said.

"It's a bit of fun, but it did cause quite a stir on its first time out.

"I was quite surprised when the ambulance man told me why he was there. People in Bristol are quite used to seeing dinosaur balloons in the skies but they fell for this for some reason."