BAFFLED fundraisers are wondering why their racing balloons have disappeared into thin air.

About 140 balloons were released from Lanchester Cricket Club on June 1 in a sponsored race for Willowburn Hospice.

Entrants buy a balloon and the one that is found the furthest away is the winner. But no one has ever reported finding one.

Hospice fundraising manager Julia Whitely said: "They were spotted going over Snod's Edge and that is where they were last seen. The Lanchester Lions had a balloon race a couple of weeks after ours and they have got them back from Holland and all over.

"I have no idea what has happened to our lot. Maybe the wind was in the wrong direction, or they have all been blown out to sea."

If a balloon is not found soon, the hospice will draw names out of a hat for the prize winners.

"First prize is a helicopter ride around Lanchester," said Mrs Whitely. "So whoever wins that can get up there and have a look for the balloons."