AN air accident Investigation team has launched an inquiry after a hot air balloon collided with a pylon on a pleasure flight over the Hampshire countryside.

More than 40,000 homes in north Hampshire lost power when the balloon, owned by Hartley Wintney-based Adventure Balloons, struck the pylon at Bordon on Sunday evening and then landed behind an industrial estate.

Emergency services dashed to the scene but no one aboard the balloon, which was carrying a pilot and ten passengers, was seriously injured.