A WOMAN from Crook could have been forgiven for thinking it was a load of hot air when told she had won a ride in a balloon.

But Susan Hobson soon realised that it was all true when Butterwick Hospice at Bishop Auckland told her that she had won a hot air balloon flight.

The balloon flight over the Lake District, for four people, was the prize for the hospice's 10th Anniversary Balloon Release earlier this year.

Two thousand balloons were released from a birthday cake - one balloon for every patient the hospice at Bishop Auckland has cared for during the past ten years - and one lucky winner won the uplifting prize.

Susan, a keen Butterwick Hospice supporter, bought her balloon tag from The Mothers' Club in Crook, where she is a member, and her tag was returned from Surrey.

She said: "I buy tickets for all sorts of things, but I've never won such an unusual prize. I'm really looking forward to the experience. It's not every day I'm given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I'm going to enjoy every minute."

Susan intends to invite three friends who are celebrating milestone birthdays to join her, and hopes to book her flight for some time in May next year.

Sylvia Stoneham, fundraiser for Butterwick Hospice, said: "Susan took some time to track down. We wrote and telephoned on a regular basis, but couldn't make contact.

"The article in our newsletter finally pinned her down. I hope Susan and her friends have a great time."