THE winning balloon in a race held on the launch day of the new Blackburn Market travelled 75 miles – all the way to Barnsley.

Hundreds of shoppers watched as 500 balloons were released into the sky in Church Street during a competition to mark the official opening of the new £8million market on Saturday, July 9.

The winning balloon floated across East Lancashire, eventually descending on the Yorkshire town, where it was found by a T Catton, who won £50 in market vouchers.

The person who released the winning balloon, Janet O'Malley, of Kings Bridge Close, Blackburn, won £150 worth of market vouchers.

The prizes were sponsored by Blackburn Market and Capita Symonds.

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council bosses said the new market was proving to be ‘a resounding success’, with more than three quarters of available stalls now filled, almost two months after it opened.

Of the 126 stalls available, 94 have leases completed and another 11 are under offer.

The council said it was continuing to interview potential new stallholders.

Councillor Dave Harling, executive member for regeneration, said: “It’s fantastic to see so many people continuing to use the new market.

“It has been a resounding success so far.”