Balloon 'Nightglow' attracts record crowd

The Nightglow was followed by a spectacular fireworks display

A record number of people turned out for the final "Nightglow" at Bristol's International Balloon Fiesta.

More than 150,000 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 on Saturday, followed by fireworks.

The mass launch on Saturday evening passed off without any problems, but the ascent planned for Sunday morning was cancelled because of fog.

Caroline Harris, the Fiesta's spokesperson, told the BBC: "All the balloonists turned up and we delayed them hoping the fog would lift, But unfortunately we can only see the trees around the arena, so they didn't go."

'Very calm'

Meanwhile, an investigation will be launched by British Transport Police and the Civil Aviation Authority after a hot air balloon landed by the side of the Avonmouth railway station on Saturday, delaying two trains.

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.

Balloon landing investigated

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

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."

Comprehensive coverage of the Fiesta from BBCi Bristol