Why the balloon landed on Dursley Recreation Ground

It also caused a stir on social media, with many saying how thrilled they were with the spectacle.

Children and their parents gathered to watch pilot Thomas Lee, of Dursley, guide his balloon down safely on Friday.

Judith Pemberton-Bennetts said: "I saw it dropping down over Dursley and was amazed by how neatly it came down and landed. It must have been lovely up there."

Thomas, who has been flying balloons for almost two years and works as a bridgekeeper on the Gloucester-Sharpness canal, joked: "I've never had my landings described as 'neat' before!"

He added: "It was a tad chilly. But the views were worth it, as were the smiles on the little kids' faces in the Rec when we landed!"

He said the landing at the Rec had been a planned descent from Stinchcombe Hill down to what was a suitable area of cut grass.

Video via Thomas Lee

He said: "I like to fly locally because I love the area, and always take off with the aim of 'steering' myself into Dursley using different wind directions and different altitudes.

"On this particular flight I knew the wind direction was headed towards Dursley if I took off from down near Newport Towers Hotel on the A38.

"Fortunately, I have a friendly launch site there just opposite called the Stagecoach Inn.

"Using the different winds at different altitudes I could aim for Dursley.

"It wasn't until we were overhead Stinchcombe Golf Course that I considered the Rec as a possible landing site.

"We avoid crops, livestock and farmers who request that we stay clear, and look for cut-grass open fields. The Rec was ideal.

"It's the second time I've landed in my home town. It was a completely deliberate, absolutely perfect landing (if I do say so myself) and we were instantly surrounded by about 50 people, ages from about two to 82 and everyone loved it!

"We spent a good half hour getting the little ones in the basket to have their photos taken and answering questions, which I love to do!"