A TRADITIONAL fundraising balloon race at a Colchester primary school is going ahead – despite opposition from some pupils and parents.

North Primary School, in John Harper Street, has held a balloon race every May for more than a decade.

Now the event has raised concerns about where the balloons end up and dangers they might pose to birds and wildlife.

The issue was highlighted last year when Colchester Council banned balloon launch events on its playing fields.

The school council asked event organiser, North School Association, to consider the matter, ahead of today’s planned launch. The school itself asked parents for their views and received 18 letters, suggesting the event should to be scrapped.

However, a further 100 parents indicated they wanted to see the annual event continue.

Mum Marina De Smith said her concerns about the ballon release were backed by organisations such as Friends of the Earth and the RSPCA.

“All we are asking for is that wildlife is not threatened, or Colchester polluted, in the name of fundraising.

“We would prefer the children to hold on to their balloons and take them home, instead of releasing them.”

Headteacher Alan Garnett said: “At a committee meeting last week, it was decided for this year it would go ahead, because of the strength of feeling in favour.

“We also decided it would be reviewed in September, but there was no simple compromise solution for this year.”

Last year, Colchester Council banned balloon releases in its open spaces, arguing they could harm wildlife.