OKEHAMPTON could get its own hot air balloon festival after town councillors last week gave their support in principle for such an event in Simmons Park.

But organisers Exeter Balloons say it may be too late to stage the event this year, as initially hoped ? next year is now a more likely lift-off for a balloon bonanza.

Geoff Davis, for Exeter Balloons, wrote to the town council last December setting out the idea for a festival, possibly taking place in late summer or early autumn this year.

He said the delay in the town council responding to his initial letter meant the event would probably not be able to go ahead this year.

Mr Davis said: ?There is still a remote possibility it could take place in September or October, but I think it?s unlikely.

?Tavistock has held an annual balloon festival for a number of years which has always been a huge success, attracting thousands of spectators and raising thousands of pounds for charity ? so why not Okehampton??

The event would be organised by Exeter Balloons Ltd with support on the day provided by members of the Okehampton branch of the Dartmoor Rescue Group.

Mr Davis said with this year?s balloon programmes almost filled, it would be hard to attract enough balloonists to make the event feasible at such short notice.

He said it was also important to have other attractions on the day to keep people entertained.

?The balloons are a great way to start the day and finish the day, but a balloon festival on its own is not particularly exciting throughout the whole day,? he said.

A balloon festival on the back of other events in Simmons Park could provide a ?fantastic attraction for the town?. He said all the balloons would carry public liability insurance, and costs would be kept down if all the balloonists were from the local area.

Chair of the parks committee Perry Vallance told a town council meeting last week that anything that brought people into the town should be welcomed.

After councillors gave their support in principle to such an event, Okehampton town clerk Don Bent said he would meet the organsiers and get more details on how they intended to manage the event before reporting back to the council.

Proceeds from the event would be donated to the Okehampton branch of the Dartmoor Rescue Group, of which Mr Davis is a trainee.

Mr Davis appealed for any businesses in the Okehampton area, which might be interested in finding out more about sponsoring the proposed balloon festival, to contact him on 07958 322201.