MORE than 1,000 balloons have been released as part of a campaign to raise £250,000 to save a 19th Century church.

Fundraisers at St Laurence's Church, Middleton St George, near Darlington, sold the helium-filled balloons for £2 each.

The release time, on Sunday afternoon, was agreed after checking with nearby Durham Tees Valley Airport's air traffic control.

Each balloon has a note attached asking it to be returned when it is found.

The balloon that travels furthest will win its owner two flights from Globespan's winter schedule. Whoever sends the balloon back will win £100.

Stuart Easby, who helped organise the race, said: "It has gone very well. We had to have permission from air traffic control before we agreed the time. It would not have looked good if we had caused an air emergency after they had sponsored it. The response from the community has been very good, and we are trying to keep fundraising events in the parish. We have raised around £35,000 so far, which is great, but obviously there is a way to go."

The church vestry has been condemned, and other parts of the church need urgent repairs.

It will be replaced with a wooden, eco-friendly vestry that will also serve as a community centre.