Telford hot air balloon company Virgin Balloon Flights will launch a recruitment drive following unprecedented demand for flights. The firm, which has more than 100 passenger launch sites across the UK, including Madeley, Shrewsbury and Chorley, near Ludlow, will recruit up to eight new customer service representatives at its Stafford Park call centre in the coming weeks.

It follows the news that the company is on course to smash 2004’s sales figures by a massive 50 per cent, the best year in its history.

Delighted managing director Damian Brockway said: “Demand for our balloon flights has never been greater.

“We’re on course to sell in excess of 25,000 balloon flight vouchers by the end of this financial year, which is at least double what we’ve ever achieved before.

“We have just recruited eight new members of staff and we’re going to have to recruit as many as eight more very soon.

“We have a very strong team of talented people working for us and it is testament to them that company is growing at such a rapid pace.”

Since its inception in 1987 Virgin Balloon Flights has become the world’s largest passenger carrying hot air balloon company. The firm employs more than 50 staff nationwide.

Mr Brockway added: “The summer is obviously our busiest flying time and we will be ready for all the challenges that presents.

“There really is nothing to beat a balloon flight and we are delighted to be able to give our customers an experience they will remember forever.”