TOURISTS are set to be left disappointed after it was revealed a south coast attraction will be missing for the rest of the summer.

The tethered Bournemouth Balloon was removed last month for “essential maintenance” but is feared damaged beyond repair.

Manchester-based S&D Leisure, which has run the attraction since 2002, has not commented on its disappearance but Bournemouth council has been told not to expect it back this season.

Cllr Lawrence Williams, cabinet member for tourism at Bournemouth Borough Council, said: “I understand S&D are talking to their insurers at the moment.

“It’s definite we won’t have a balloon this year.

“It’s sad but hopefully we can have a fresh new one for next year. The other one’s reached the end of its useful life.

“I think basically it’s sprung a very big leak. It’s obviously a very expensive item to replace if that’s what needs to be done.”

Family trips on the balloon cost around £35 and its disappearance has left some people with gift vouchers unsure when they will be able to use them.

Former mayor Cllr Phil Stanley-Watts called for a replacement attraction while the balloon was away.

“I think it’s not good for Bournemouth not to have the balloon in place but there should be some iconic kind of attraction for Bournemouth in its place,” he said.

“Portsmouth has its Spinnaker Tower and Weymouth has its Sea Life Tower.

“Bournemouth is a top international seaside resort and I think people expect it.”

It is not the first time the operators have been left without a working balloon.

In October 2002, severe gales irreparably damaged a previous S&D Leisure balloon. Insurers paid out more than £250,000 and the attraction was back the next Easter.

Bournemouth has had a tethered balloon flying 500ft above the gardens since July 1998, when the Vistarama balloon opened three months behind schedule.

The first advertiser to have its name on the balloon was radio station 2CRFM.

Vistarama went into administration in 2001, more than £500,000 in debt, having lost £180,000 when the balloon sprang a leak shortly after being filled with gas worth £20,000.

Its balloon was bought by another operator, Colonyland, which ran it for only a few months before the contract was put out for tender and S&D Leisure emerged the winner.

Gary Josey, director of housing and communities at Bournemouth Borough Council, said: “Bournemouth Borough Council do have a contract with S&D leisure for the Lower Gardens balloon.

“However, at present the balloon is damaged and we are trying to establish the extent of this.

“This may include looking at options for a new balloon.

“As things stand it is unlikely that the balloon will be ready to fly again this summer. Bournemouth Borough Council are staying in close contact with S+D Leisure to remain up to date with the situation’s progression.”