Shots fired at advertising blimp

Villagers have complained the blimp spoils views of the South Downs

An airship advertising a warehouse in East Sussex has been shot at after claims by villagers that it spoils their view of the South Downs.

Big Box Storage Centre director Mike Rayner, who has a base in Ditchling, had to apply for consent from the Civil Aviation Authority to fly the blimp.

He said it cost £500 to repair and reinflate it each time it was shot.

Sussex Police said officers had received two reports of the blimp being shot at and had recovered air pellets.

Mr Rayner said the airship was targeted on the first day it was launched in August.

He said rumours were "rife" in the village about who was shooting at the 20ft (6m) white, green and blue airship.

We don't want it to be shot down again as it's so costly to repair Mike Rayner

He said the company had received a number of complaints that the blimp was spoiling people's views and one from a woman who said it scared her dog.

But he also claimed many customers had used the firm after seeing the advert.

He said: "We don't want it to be shot down again as it's so costly to repair."

But Mary Holman, clerk to Ditchling Parish Council, said: "Feelings are running high."

She said: "It's an eyesore. It's very visible from all around the common. We've got a fantastic common and country park - we are in a lovely area here and it's very visible."

Mrs Holman said she had received "quite a lot" of emails to the parish council from villagers opposing the airship, even though it only flies in good weather.

She said: "The parish council don't want it either."

Situation monitored

Mrs Holman said the parish council was "not very happy about the airgun", but she added: "We have had street lights shot at, so it does happen."

Sgt Kieran McDonald said incidents had been reported to the force on 3 and 16 September.

He said the first was filed as "undetected" because there were no lines of inquiry and the second was investigated but no witnesses were found.

He said: "Forensic opportunities were considered, as a couple of pellets were retrieved from the blimp on the second occasion.

"However, it was decided they would be of no use as forensic evidence. Crime reduction advice was offered at the time and CCTV posters were given to the victim to display."

He said the situation would be monitored.