HUNDREDS of brightly coloured balloons will float far and wide in the new year.

The Courtyard in Hereford has launched the Great Dick Whittington Balloon Race. For just £1 theatregoers can buy a balloon which, weather permitting, will be released from the roof of the Courtyard on Saturday, January 6.

They are on sale in the foyer before and during various panto performances.

Peter Weeks is chairman of the Friends of the Courtyard, the committee behind the fund-raiser. He said: We wanted to do something a bit different and the balloon race is a family-orientated event that fits perfectly with the fun and excitement of panto.

"If lots of parents support us by buying a balloon, we may have up to 1,000 to release by the end of the run."

The last balloon race was in 2003 for the Courtyard's fifth birthday celebrations. Five hundred balloons were released and reached destinations as far away as Norway and Sweden.

The owner of the balloon which travels the furthest this year will win a £100 cash prize.

To find out more about the panto, the Great Balloon Race or the friends, call the box office on 0870 11 22 330 or go to www.courtyard.org.uk