A HOT air balloon spotted flying “very low and erratically” landed in a locked Taunton car park at around 9.20pm last night.

A witness told the County Gazette the balloon was seen flying over the M5 and Hankridge Farm Retail Park before landing in a park near Allington Close. 

She said it then took off again and flew over the Blackbrook area of the town before it landed with a basket “full of people” in the locked car park off Lisieux Way.

The witness called Sharron said: “The balloon looked to be in trouble as it went over the motorway. It came very low over Hankridge shops.”

Somerset County Gazette: Passengers were trapped in a Taunton car park following the balloon's descent, according to a witness. Picture: @Sharr0nR, TwitterPassengers were trapped in a Taunton car park following the balloon's descent, according to a witness. Picture: @Sharr0nR, Twitter

She said it “flew very low and erratically over Blackbrook” before coming down in the car park. 

“The car park was locked so nobody could get out,” said Sharron.

“They waited for a key holder to arrive. Passengers managed to exit via a side gate.

“The basket was very full of people. When it landed they were all very quiet.”

She said nobody seemed to be hurt during the balloon's descent. 

The balloon was folded and packed away by its crew with the help of residents after it landed.

The balloon carried the logo of Original 106.5, a Bristol radio station that closed in 2009.