A PONTYPOOL couple travelled to the UK's biggest pop concert and balloon festival in style after winning VIP tickets and a chauffeur driven Mercedes in an Argus competition.

Gareth Powell, 52, and his wife Susan, 51, were the lucky winners of the VIP hospitality package to Bristol courtesy of the Argus and Culture Group. The couple were waved off by members of the family and left in style in an E300 silver Mercedes yesterday.

"I was jumping around the room like a bunch of frogs when I received the phone call from the Argus!" said Mrs Powell.

It was the couple's first visit to the Bristol Balloon Fiesta, which attracts more than 500,000 visitors over the four days, making it one of the UK's largest events.

"We have never been to the festival before and are extremely excited - we couldn't have gone if it wasn't for this competition because I have a bad knee which stops me driving," said Mr Powell before they left.

"We are looking forward to the fireworks, balloons and seeing all the big pop stars like Jamelia, Girls Aloud and Peter Andre."