RESIDENTS in Briercliffe got a surprise when a hot air balloon came down behind their homes in Lydgate last night.

The balloon, from Pendle Balloon Company of Clayton-le-Dale, Blackburn, set off from the De Tabley at Ribchester for an hour long flight and on board was a couple from Langho and two other people from Wigan.

Piloting the balloon was Graham Church, owner of the firm, who said: "It was a lovely night for the flight.

"Once an hour is up I look for a safe place to land where there are no animals and no overhead wires."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.