Balloon lands at railway station

Another mass ascent is planned on Saturday evening

Fine weather allowed a mass ascent of hot air balloons across Bristol on Saturday morning, with one minor concern for weekend rail travellers.

Trains were delayed after one craft came down by the side of the Avonmouth railway station.

Around 90 colourful balloons took off from the Ashton Court estate at the beginning of the weekend, after dozens had lifted off on Friday evening.

Morning mist meant the first group flight, planned for lift-off at 0700 BST on Friday, had to be cancelled.

The pilot decided this was the safest landing option, as otherwise he would have had to cross the severn estuary into Wales Fiesta spokesperson Balloon landing investigated

Rupert Stanley, who piloted the balloon into the station, told the BBC it was all very calm, but that a passer-by had called the police and the fire brigade.

"We were just drifting and trying to get to Filton when we saw the channel. We didn't really want to go into Wales and tried to land in some fields, but began running out of space, he said.

"Then we saw the station and just popped the balloon on the platform."

Two trains were delayed between Bristol Temple Meads and Severn Beach because of the incident, in which no one was injured.

Trains were affected by the unusual landing site

A statement from the Fiesta organisers said: "The pilot decided this was the safest landing option, as otherwise he would have had to cross the severn estuary into Wales.

"Although he had enough fuel to clear the estuary, his landing options on the other side would have severely restricted and therefore more risky.

"After checking the train signals were red, and red barriers were up, he landed his balloon by the track before immediately lifting onto the platform and delflating the balloon."

Nightglow

The incident was reported to the civil aviation authority.

On Thursday evening, an estimated record crowd of more than 100,000 turned up to watch a "Nightglow" at the Balloon Fiesta, celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Spectators enjoyed the sights and sounds of 25 balloons with their burners ignited against the night sky as pilots fired them in time to music.

There will be another "Nightglow" on Saturday at 2130 BST.

Les Greaves, chairman of the Fiesta, said: "You get gripped by ballooning - once you're in, you're in. It's a busy few days, especially for those of us behind the scenes."

World-famous Bristol-based balloonist Don Cameron, who planned the first festival with friends in a bar in 1979, said: "It's really amazing that it's grown from such small beginnings.

"It's a great honour to have been part of it."

Comprehensive coverage of the Fiesta from BBCi Bristol