ONE Hereford dog walker was left 'dumbfounded' after a curious string of coincidences caused his path to cross with that of a Wiltshire toddler.

Gino Libetta, 67, was walking his working cocker spaniel Raz in fields close to his home in Holmer when he came across a party balloon.

Attached to the balloon was a note, stating it had been sent up by the mother of a boy called Oliver who had celebrated his first birthday on June 6.

Strangely, the balloon had travelled 63 miles from Swindon to Hereford – the age Mr Libetta's wife Sue had herself celebrated turning on June 6.

Mr Libetta said: "It was just coincidence after coincidence. What were the chances of it being picked up by myself on my wife's birthday?

"My wife emailed to say we had found it and when we had found it.

"She was absolutely dumbfounded as I was. It could have been picked up by anyone anywhere but to be picked up by myself on my wife's birthday, the odds of that happening must be off this planet.

"I just couldn't believe it."

The couple have emailed Oliver's mother to let her know where the balloon got to – and their story – and are currently waiting for a response.