David Hempleman-Adams' gas balloon 'flying well' in race

Mr Hempleman-Adams is heading for Austria after flying over Northern Italy

Wiltshire explorer David Hempleman-Adams has had a good start in the Gordon Bennett Gas Balloon Race and is currently in fourth place.

The 12 gas balloons took off from Gap-Tallard in France almost 24 hours ago.

Mr Hempleman-Adams and co-pilot Simon Carey were said to be in good spirits and "flying really well".

Last year the race, believed to be the oldest in the world, claimed the lives of two American pilots, Richard Abruzzo, 47, and Carol Rymer Davis, 65.

Competitors have one aim, which is to travel as far as possible from the launch site.

Three teams landed during the first day of racing - America, Germany and Switzerland.

'Closely fought'

Mr Hempleman-Adams said: "Simon and I are feeling good as it's been quite sunny and we have successfully flown over Northern Italy and heading towards Austria."

Each balloon is fitted with the latest meteorological technology and GPS tracking systems which allow progress to be tracked online.

The British pilots are being supported by flight director Clive Bailey and weather expert Luc Trullemans in the Flight Control Centre at a Bristol hotel.

"It's going to be a closely fought battle to see who wins, it is all to play for," said Mr Bailey.