by Keyan Milanian

Concerned onlookers called emergency services after seeing a hot air balloon land in a field.

Although it was thought the balloon, similar to the one pictured, crash-landed a spokesman for Leeds Castle, where it set off from, said although the landing was unplanned it was routine.

Police, fire crews from Strood and Thames-side and two ambulances rushed to the scene in Pilgrims Way, part of Rugby Cement Works at about 8pm on Sunday.

One person was treated at the scene for some dust in their eye.

Steve Richards, operations manager at Leeds Castle said: "The balloon made a normal landing but because a well intentioned neighbour had never seen a balloon landing there before they called the emergency services."

The balloons, managed by Airborne Balloon Flights based at Leeds Castle, make two flights a day, seven days a week from the castle in Maidstone.

According to Mr Richards balloons only fly early in the morning or late at night every day when flying conditions are favourable.

Pilots can land anywhere where a retrieval team can pick up the passengers and crew.

Mr Richards added: "The emergency services probably get called out to us three or four times a year through well intentioned residents putting calls in, if anything we are a bit embarassed about it."