ANYONE wishing to take to the skies in a hot air balloon need look no further than Weardale, where a new service was launched this week.

Virgin hot air balloons began the first of a series of regular flights from Witton Castle, near Witton le Wear, yesterday. They will run during the summer and fly to hundreds of destinations, depending on wind direction.

Scheduled flights also depart from Consett and York, but the Witton Castle site will be served by Virgin Balloons' largest passenger carrying envelope, a 400,000 cubic feet crimson giant, able to carry up to 19 passengers at a time. But there is also a choice of more intimate flights, with a romantic basket for two.

Flights will run on a regular basis and will take off at dawn and dusk for meteorological reasons. A formal safety briefing will take place while the balloon is being inflated, with the largest balloon rising to the size of a 15-storey building.

There will be a chance to get involved by helping hold it steady, but involvement is not compulsory.

Passengers are airborne for about an hour, flying wherever the wind takes them, usually at about 2,000ft and covering between 15-35 miles. Following on the ground will be the Virgin retrieval crew, scheduled to rendezvous at the chosen landing space, where a champagne toast will be served.

On return to Witton Castle, passengers will be presented with a commemorative flight certificate, signed by Sir Richard Branson and the pilot.

Inquiries about the availability and prices of flights can be made to 0870 522 8483, or visit the web site at www.virginballoonflights.co.uk