Balloons were released at an RAF base to pay tribute to British troops in Iraq and Afghanistan - and help a charity sending presents to servicemen and women on overseas duty.

Fifteen-hundred yellow balloons were released into the grey skies above RAF Brize Norton on Saturday, at the start of the Big Yellow Balloon race.

Members of the public in Britain and overseas, bought the balloons to raise money for the Carterton-based Yellow Ribbon Foundation. The owner and finder of the balloon travelling the furthest will each receive £25.

The foundation has been raising money for UK4U, a charity that sends Christmas gifts to service people on active duty abroad. A cheque for £800 was presented to the charity.

Emma Cheedy, Saturday's event co-ordinator, said: "The Yellow Ribbon Foundation is a not-for-profit company set up five years ago when support for the Armed Forces was low. A group of wives got together and decided to do something to show we were proud of our husbands."