A BALLOON race will kick-start an appeal to raise £250,000 so repair work can be carried out on an 800-year-old church spire.

At 11am tomorrow 1,000 balloons are being released from St Bartholomew's churchyard in Corsham with nametags on and the one that travels furthest will win the owner a ride in a real hot air balloon.

Tickets for a balloon have been sold at a cost of £1, giving the spire fund the start it needs.

Canon Roger Clifton the rector of St Bartholomew's said: "We are having to get major repairs carried out to the spire and tower.

"A lot of the stonework is damaged and it needs re-pointing and the windows need repairs done."

Canon Clifton and the congregation hope to raise the £250,000 over the next three to four years, as the work needs to be carried out within five years to stop further damage.

He said: "We've got lots of ideas whizzing around our heads but we are starting off with our balloon race, to which everyone will be very welcome."