A WORCESTER car dealership could be advertising further away than expected after pranksters undid the ropes on its giant helium balloon.

The Brooklyn Ford dealership recently moved to Cosgrove Close, Blackpole, and had launched the balloon to make people aware of the move.

The blimp, which cost more than £2,000 and measures 20ft by 7ft, is thought to be floating at a height of 12,000ft after being released from its moorings on Saturday afternoon.

"We're trying to find out who did this," said Brooklyn Ford sales manager Steve Jones. "It had only been there for about a week, to advertise our move and show people from the M5 where we are."

The culprits are thought to have climbed into the compound behind the main building and unfastened the blue and white balloon.

"They must have climbed over the side and let it off," said Mr Jones. "We're not very happy with them. The wind was blowing to the east and the balloon could have got up to 50 miles an hour, so I don't think we'll see it again.

"We can only assume it was done as a prank, but it was very dangerous. It could have got wrapped around a passenger airline."

He said he was unsure whether the company would be replacing the balloon because it could not guarantee that it would not happen again.

Anyone with information about the incident, which happened between 3.15pm and 3.30pm on Saturday, should call Worcester police on 01905 723888