STOCKBRIDGE balloonists Colin Prescot and partner Andy Elson are planning another world record-breaking attempt to fly to the edge of space.

Colin and Andy, from Wells, abandoned their proposed 25-mile ascent in the summer after the helium balloon's thin material tore before take-off.

Pilot and project director Andy Elson said the team had now identified the problems and were making improvements ready for another attempt to break the world manned balloon altitude record in 2005.

He said: "I've spent the last few months with my engineering team investigating what went wrong and asking how we can do things differently next time."

Colin Prescot said the pair were determined to try again but did not have enough time to be ready for a launch this year.

"There are always ways we can improve and there's no need for us to rush into our next attempt. This has always been a truly British venture, backed by a great British science company.

"That's not going to change and with our experience gained last September we're aiming for a win next time."

The balloonists, who chose St Ives, Cornwall, for their 2003 attempt, will investigate alternative launch sites to increase their chances of success.

Stephen Cooke, spokesman for Glastonbury-based sponsor company QinetiQ, added the company would continue to support the pair in their venture.

He said: "QinetiQ remains the principal backer of the project and supports the pilots in their aim to reach the edge of space in a manned balloon, breaking a 40-year-old world record and claiming it for Britain."