Scientists invent 'world's greenest balloon'

Scientists in London have invented what they claim is the world's first fully biodegradable party balloon.

Researchers at Imperial College London say standard balloons can take years to break down and can release harmful chemicals.

But their new balloon biodegrades within nine months.

The research was part-funded by a party planner, who wanted to reduce the impact of balloon litter on marine wildlife.

The new balloon, called Bioloon, is no more expensive than a standard balloon and is easier to blow up, according to the scientists.

"Regular balloons are treated with a process to make them strong and stretchy," said 29-year-old co-inventor Juliana Cumming, a PhD researcher at Imperial. "But that process also stops them fully degrading and causes toxic chemicals to leach into the environment."

Reporting from BBC News contributed to this story.