AHOT air balloon for Southampton? What a cracking idea - and how apposite considering all the hot air expended during the previous few months regarding the elusive wow factor.

The fact that Bournemouth has successfully operated one for some ten years does not guarantee equal success here. Bournemouth is a holiday resort whereas Southampton is, what? A cruise port and shopping centre with consequent transitory patronage.

Assuming this proposal gets off the ground (pardon the pun), it would no doubt generate some income but as Counciilors Vinson and Smith acknowledge, will hardly provide the coveted wow factor.

You'll all have to do better than their councillors. May 3 is approaching rapidly, and for some of you the balloon really will go up if you do not display a little more innovation and imagination.

P C ASLETT, Upper Shirley, Southampton.