Millions of TV viewers watched awe-struck as Lindsey Butcher, suspended from a giant heliosphere, brought the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games to its dazzling climax.

For two-and-a-half minutes, the eyes of the world focused on the spectacular aerial show, put together by Brighton-based company The Dream Engine.

But yesterday it was revealed that although the company has staged performances all over the globe, it has never performed on home ground.

Co-director Steve Edgar said: "We have worked in 30 countries in the last four years and done hundreds of shows.

"We've performed in deserts in the Middle East, over ice in Scandinavia and played in jungles in Malaysia. The one place we have never used the heliosphere is in Brighton.

"We're off to Ireland this weekend, then Turkey and Holland but it's Brighton we want to do a show in."

The company describes its brand of lofty entertainment as "part aerial, part sculptural, part installation and part musical".

Dream Engine is made up of performers, musicians, dancers and technicians. Many of whom live in Brighton and Hove.

They have only once entertained a local audience, with a free show as part of the Brighton Festival.

Although their spectacular aerial displays have been copied, most steer clear of the kind of mobility the Dream Engine puts into its performances.

Steve, of Farm Road, Hove, said: "We try to keep the ball moving quickly and nobody else does that."

The Manchester games gave the company its biggest-ever and most high-profile audience.

They rehearsed for five months to ensure every possible angle was covered.

Steve said: "Generally we work things out hypothetically. Filling the balloon with helium is expensive - about £700 a time - so we don't do it often."

Despite the orb's magical, floating appearance, Steve revealed it is just an illusion.

He said: "We manipulate it from the ground with black ropes and manoeuvre it into position. The wind is always the big unknown."

The wind threatened to ruin Lindsey's spectacular delivery of the Commonwealth Games baton to athlete Denise Lewis in the stadium.

As the team nervously waited on the rooftop, Steve called The Red Arrows to check on the wind speed.

"Amazingly and wonderfully, the wind dropped just in time to bring Lindsey in."

Lindsey, 38, of Alexandra Villas, Brighton, described it as a "nerve-racking but exhilarating' moment".

Steve said: "It's a job for very cool heads. You have to be absolutely sure everything is just right."

Their attention to detail paid off and the show went without a hitch, bringing them acclaim and worldwide fame.

Steve said: "We knew it was likely to get us noticed and it has. Even my cousin in Australia texted me and said 'Wow mate!'

"The response has been great and maybe now we can think about playing in Brighton."

To find out more, visit the company's web site at www.thedreamengine.co.

uk