THE Courtyard in Hereford has cancelled its balloon race because of fears for the environment.

As part of this year's panto celebration The Friends of the Courtyard were due to release hundreds of balloons into the skies of Herefordshire on Saturday, January 6.

However, plans have now changed, and the Great Balloon Race has become the Great Balloon Pop.

When it heard of the fund-raising event, local charity the Marine Conservation Society told The Courtyard that balloon races can cause major problems for the environment.

The society then came up with an alternative event that will still include hundreds of balloons - but this time they will all be enclosed in The Courtyard's studio, where a mass popping will take place. The last balloon left will be the winner and the tag attached to that balloon will hold the winner's details. The prize is £100. Chairman of the friends, Peter Weeks, said: "The last thing we would want to do is to be involved in any sort of activity that has the potential to create any environmental hazard."

For details about the event and how you can buy a balloon call 0870 11 22 330.