COLOURFUL balloons sailed into the sky above Abingdon as part of a charity fundraising event.

Children from indoor adventure playground Snakes and Ladders, in Audlett Drive, watched as the 300 balloons took to the air.

Saturday’s event was the fourth time staff from the centre have organised a balloon release in aid of Helen and Douglas House in East Oxford.

The charity provides end of life care for children and young adults with life-shortening conditions.

Snakes and Ladders manager Nicky Beauchamp said the centre’s panda mascot released the balloons with help from the children.

She added: “We closed the gates and invited all the customers out to watch. All the balloons and labels, which have the address on, are biodegradable.

“We have had some balloons land in France before now, so we have translated the information on the labels into French and German so if people find them they can send them back.”

Prizes will be on offer for the owner of the balloon which travels the furthest and the person who finds it and posts it back.

The balloons were sold at £1 and with donations, staff hoped to raise £500 from the day.