How you can fine them

BECAUSE hot air balloons travel with the wind, they are – within reason – allowed to land wherever the pilot sees fit.

But those that come down on private land can be charged a ‘ recovery fee’ and the landowner’s permission must be sought for the balloon to be retrieved.

There is no legal maximum fee a landowner can charge operators but the British Balloon and Airship Club says it must be ‘reasonable’.

Its guidelines suggest £4 to £5 per passenger, with a maximum fee of £80.

A landowner must offer ‘reasonable assistance’ in helping retrieve the balloon.

It is illegal to prevent access, or to damage a balloon, even if it is on private property.