EXCITED youngsters released more than 250 balloons at Ealing Hospital to celebrate the arrival of the Olympic torch in the UK.

Children from the day and inpatient wards and the staff nursery took part in the fun last Friday, after the flame landed in Cornwall.

They all made a label for their balloon and the one which travels the furthest will win a prize. The staff are waiting until next Friday to give time for people to send the labels back to the hospital.

The event was organised by play specialist Cecily Mathias who had to clear the launch with the Civil Aviation Authority.

Her colleague, Carole Dinsley, paediatric sister of the inpatient unit, said: "We had a count down from 10 then let go. It was lovely, a great fun thing to do.”

The Olympic torch will arrive in Ealing on July 24, to be carried from Northala Fields, through Southall and Ealing Broadway, before spending the night in Walpole Park.