A US man who triggered a major alert by claiming his son was adrift in a helium balloon has been sentenced to 90 days in jail - and his wife to 20.

Richard Heene and his wife reported in October their son had been carried away by the balloon - causing a media drama.

Six-year-old Falcon Heene was finally found hiding at home.

Appearing in court in Colorado, Mr Heene said he was "very, very sorry" and apologised to rescue workers and the local community.

The judge also ordered four years of supervised probation for Mr Heene, and banned him from receiving any form of financial benefit from the case.

Mr Heene and his wife Mayumi had pleaded guilty to charges that they carried out the balloon stunt to promote a reality TV show.