OFFICIALS thought a charity balloon race competitor was full of hot air when he returned a reply slip - 19 months after the closing date.

But then they realised the helium filled balloon had been on its travels trapped in the Jet Stream for more than a year before landing in the Ukraine 1,500 miles away.

Dybovoy Dmitriy, of Emilchino, has just returned the stamped addressed card to Darlington College at Catterick hoping to claim the prize for the longest distance travelled. And he would have won too - except the deadline for the competition was September 22, 2001.

"We were amazed that it came back so long after the event and from so far away," said head of the Darlington College at Catterick John Young. "It shows commendable initiative on the part of the person who returned it, so we thought we would send him something for his time."

A goody bag has been dispatched containing a college calculator, carrier bag, some more balloons and a selection of pens. With it is a letter of thanks translated by college tutor Margit Jeavons, who runs a Russian course at Darlington College at Catterick.

The college is planning another charity balloon race at this year's open day, which will be held on Saturday, June 28.