Branson to stage new balloon bid

Virgin boss Richard Branson said yesterday that he is planning to make another attempt to circumnavigate the world in a hot air balloon.

Asked during a visit to South Africa when he would be staging his next daredevil stunt, Mr Branson replied: "Foolishly, in two months. I am attempting to go around the world again." And referring to his failed attempt earlier this year when he was forced to ditch in the Algerian desert, Mr Branson said: "We think we've worked out what went wrong. Christmas for me could be in a balloon."