You may not expect the president of Richmond Chamber of Commerce to have made his mark in business selling balloons, but that is precisely what Ray Warner has done.

One half of a double act with his wife Lynne, Mr Warner has run the Balloon Works for 25 years, making it one of London’s oldest-trading balloon companies.

In that time there have been numerous stories of note, including recently, when a phone call came in at 2pm one day, requesting 500 pink, inflated balloons be delivered to a Knightsbridge restaurant by 5pm.

The balloons were for Lady Gaga, and they arrived in time for her shindig – to the surprise of the customer, who appreciated it was a rather tall order.

Mr Warner said: “The Balloon Works is used to dealing with the stars and the celebs, especially when things need to be discreet or a surprise.

“Based in Richmond, we are used to celeb customers, and sometimes even we get a bit blase when telling our friends.”

Delivering to anywhere within the M25, the Balloon Works regularly gets celebrity celebrations going.

The company specialises in printed logo balloons in latex and foil.

Mr Warner added: “It is a very cheap, cost-effective way of promoting your company, product or service – it’s like a walking advertisement.”

As well as his time spent in the chamber of commerce, Mrs Warner is a feature writer for the London and UK Datebook – an events magazine promoting and reporting on charity functions.

For more information about the Balloon Works visit balloonworks.co.uk or call 020 8948 8157.