THE fire brigade came to the rescue of Monkton Park Primary School's summer fte when they recovered an escaped balloon and caught a runaway tent last weekend.

The dreadful weather failed to dampen the spirits of the hundreds of children and parents who celebrated the fete on Saturday afternoon inside the school hall.

Chippenham Fire Station had an engine on display at the fte, and the crew were called into action almost immediately when a marquee blew over. They then used their ladders to capture a helium balloon, which had escaped from the hands of a distraught seven-year-old girl, and had nestled in the roof of the school hall.

Headteacher Lyn Karanjia, said: "The eight firefighters helped out with such good humour, and it was great to have them around."

The fte raised more than £1,600 for books for the new library.