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The case of the missing blimp

Burnley FC had to call air traffic control after a promotional blimp was cut free during its maiden flight.

The 20ft by 9ft blimp, proudly displaying the club crest, was flown ahead of a match against QPR last week. But within 90 minutes of it taking off, someone had scaled a wall, climbed on to the container it was attached to and cut through the reinforced steel tether.

Experts said the helium-filled balloon could have travelled as far as Scotland. It was last seen heading eastwards but the Met Office said that south-easterly winds would have propelled the balloon in a north-westerly direction.

The club alerted air traffic control over the incident and the matter has been reported to the police.

Burnley FC Facilities Manager Doug Metcalfe said: “It certainly caught someone’s eye quickly as it was only airborne for an hour and a half before somebody cut it loose. “It was seen flying eastwards and we would really appreciate its safe return if at all possible as blimps do not come cheap.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .