THOUSANDS of excited people flocked to Cross Hayes car park in Malmesbury last Sunday to witness the launch of a hot air balloon.

However, the grand finale had to be postponed as it was too windy for the Eclipse balloon to lift off safely.

Despite the disappointment, the event was still hailed as a success, with lots of money raised towards the restoration of the Moravian Church.

The event was a commemoration of the famous flight by the Victorian explorer and Malmesbury MP Walter Powell, who successfully took off in a hot air balloon from the same spot in 1881.

James Gray, incumbent MP for North Wiltshire who was due to ride in the basket with explorer Sir David Hempleman-Adams, said: “It was a great day and everyone was in fine form.

“It was a big turnout, about two thousand people enjoyed lots of entertainment.

"I was dressed as Walter Powell and David and I arrived in an old antique fire engine.

"Unfortunately it was just too windy.

“We inflated the balloon with cold air and it was blowing around all over the place.

"We reckoned had we put hot air in it would’ve risked damaging the surrounding buildings.

“But it’s interesting to think that 126 years ago Walter Powell, from just the same spot managed to inflate and fly.

“The whole event was great and everyone had a great time, it was a real carnival atmosphere.”

Organiser Angela Sykes said: “Every penny raised will go towards the restoration of the Moravian Church.

“What has been an eyesore in the town for two decades will soon become a great space for the community and the expanding work of the museum.”