Space in Belgium may be at a premium during Euro 2000, but a balloon from Colchester managed to squeeze itself in.

A card attached to one of 350 balloons let off from Grey Friars College has been returned, complete with greetings from Belgium.

It is the first sent back since the balloons were launched on May 22, to coincide with National Adult Learners Week and the college's pre-enrolment week.

College spokesman Jon Williams said: "It was quite a breezy day and the balloons headed off in the Harwich direction.

"I couldn't believe it when we got the card from Belgium, but for all we know we might get more from further afield."

The deadline for cards to be returned is the end of the month and the money raised will be used to carry out improvements to the college.

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