A BLESSED balloon has officially travelled further than the woman who released it – after the helium filled party decoration travelled 673 miles – from Purton to Lyon, France.

Frances Baker, who lives in The Cedars Care Home, in High Street, Purton, let go of her blue balloon during a ‘balloon race’ at the home’s annual September garden party.

The 84-year-old said the 60 balloons released by residents and family members were all tagged with the home’s address so they could be returned after being located by people from around Britain.

However, she said she was ‘blown away’ after discovering hers had travelled across the English Channel.

“I remember praying for the balloon when it was released because someone else’s got caught in a tree,” said the Scotland born lass.

“I say a prayer for a lot of things these days – I remember blessing it in my head and praying that it reached somewhere safely.

“I think one of the funniest things is that I have never been overseas but my balloon has.”

The letter, written in French, stated the balloon had been found in St Romain De Popey, in Rhone – 25 miles north of Lyon – on October 19.

The home has written back in French stating their amazement and thanking Madame Lavy Vinginie with £10.

Mrs Baker was given chocolates by the home on Tuesday, during a special celebration, after the three balloon winners had already been chosen by the home.

She added: “I think it is a wonderful and surprising thing to happen, I am not one to win that often but when I do it is under odd circumstances.

“I was astonished and thrilled when I found out, it cheered us all up.

“I haven’t opened the chocolates yet but I plan on sharing them with everyone else.”

Michelle McKeever, home manager, said: “In the past we have received balloons from as far as Dorset, but this is just unreal.

“We expect returns from these shores but for one to travel across the channel inland is just amazing.

“We measured it with Google’s internet mapping software via roads between Purton and Lyon.

“Out of the 60 balloons six were returned to us.”

The official winner of the competition’s balloon was found in Middlesex.

He was handed the prize of £15.