
A youngster who entered the MCE Insurance Great Balloon Race has scooped a brand new iPod Nano after his balloon travelled 843 miles to Marseille in France.
Luke Rollings, 14, of Rushden Northamptonshire entered the race at the MCE Insurance sponsored Parade of Power event in Wellingborough.
The young rock music enthusiast not only beat off competition from 500 other entrants but also from his mum Debbie, dad Terry and sister Emma, who also took part in the event.
Luke said: ‘I cannot believe how far my balloon went and I never expected to win this competition, but it is amazing my balloon went to Marseille and I am really pleased with my iPod.
The MCE Insurance Parade of Power attracted a record 10,000 people this year as dragsters, modified and race cars completed five laps of Wellingborough town centre in August. MCE Insurance Director, Julian Edwards said: ‘I could not believe it when we received a balloon back from Marseille, but then we received even more from around that area. We had a total of nine from France and Belgium.