TOP balloonist Per Lindstrand hopes his plan to give tourists the view of a lifetime over a city in the region will be up, up and away by Christmas.

Mr Lindstrand, who has captured numerous world records for hot-air balloon flights, revealed last November that he wanted to launch a tethered, helium-filled HiFlyer balloon from York city centre.

No planning application has yet been lodged, in contrast to York's other scheme to give tourists a bird's eye view of the city - the Yorkshire Wheel, which won permission in January and is due to open at the National Railway Museum next month.

However, Mr Lindstrand revealed that a specific potential site in the city centre has been located and surveyed. A planning application is expected to be submitted.

He insisted that the balloon would provide a very different experience to the big wheel, and the two attractions would complement each other rather than compete.

"Our balloon would reach a height of 400ft, while the wheel would be less than half that, and our passengers would be flying into the sky."

HiFlyer balloons operate at some of the world's biggest tourist sites, including Niagara Falls, Victoria Falls and Barcelona, but it only has one in Britain - in Bournemouth, which is in use in the summer.

Mr Lindstrand added: "I cannot think of a better Christmas present for York."