A THREE-DAY hot air balloon event near Chester featuring a trio of headlining pop acts including chart topper Sonique has been postponed.

The eagerly-anticipated Great Balloon Race Extravaganza at Bolesworth Castle, Tattenhall, had been due to get underway this Friday (August 6).

However, the organisers confirmed yesterday evening that the Cheshire event – along with its date at Charlton Park – had been postponed.

They said that a number of key suppliers had been "pinged" by the Covid-19 track and trace app, adding that they were now working with the venue to secure a new date.

In a Facebook post, the organisers said: "Following notification today (August 2) that several of our key suppliers have been pinged by the NHS Track and Trace app we have made the difficult decision to postpone both our Bolesworth Castle and Chartlon Park events.

"The safety and security of our guests are of utmost importance to us, and our suppliers and contractors which have received these notifications are integral to the safe operation of the Great Balloon Race.

"This combined with the current weather forecast for the coming weekend means our guest safety could not be guaranteed. At such short notice it would be impossible for us to source suitable replacement suppliers that would satisfy the requirements of our venue licences or provide the level of quality that we would want to deliver at out events.

"We are working with venues at the moment to confirm new dates. We are very excited to say our Cheshire venue will allow fireworks. All ticket holders have been notified directly of the changes and further information on the re-booking process will be sent out shortly once full details have been confirmed with venues.

"We are working to make this as seamless as possible."

Brit-award winner Sonique, who had an international No 1 hit with ‘It Feels So Good’, was due to headline the three-day hot air balloon on Friday.

Saturday night’s headliner was 90s sensation Rozalla – whose biggest hit ‘Everybody’s Free (to Feel Good) reached No 6 in the UK.

Finishing the weekend would have been Angie Brown, who sang on Bizarre Inc’s 90s hit ‘I’m Gonna Get Ya’ and has performed vocals for a range of top-selling artistes including Mark Morrison, Fat Boy Slim and Stereophonics.

The event also features up to 50 of the UK’s best hot air balloons taking to the skies and also performing a dazzling night glow show with the Ibiza Classics Orchestra.