Wind grounds balloon mass ascent

One of the highlights of this year's fiesta is the specially-shaped balloons

A planned mass ascent of more than 100 hot air balloons marking the start of the 30th Bristol International Balloon Fiesta was scuppered due to high winds.

Crowds gathered to watch the annual spectacle at 0600 BST at Ashton Court.

A decision was taken to tether rather than take off, as the wind would have blown the balloons towards Bristol International Airport.

A second mass ascent planned for 1800 BST is however likely to happen as the high winds are predicted to ease.

"There's a high chance the balloons will take off this evening with winds expected to ease and this could well be the best ascent for the whole fiesta," said BBC weatherman Richard Angwin.

'Special shapes'

MASS BALLOON ASCENTS Friday 8 August 0600 and 1800 BST Saturday 9 August 0600 and 1800 BST Sunday 10 August 0600 and 1800 BST

"The weekend's flight prospects look distinctly gloomy," he added.

"There is a chance that some of the balloons will attempt an ascent on Saturday morning but wet and windy weather will scupper any hopes of an evening ascent.

"Although the general weather for Sunday looks better, it is likely that the westerly winds will be too strong to allow any flights to take place."

The festival which began with just 27 balloons is now one of world's biggest ballooning events.

Each year more than 500,000 spectators come to see the balloons and experience the two night glows where pilots fire the balloon burners in time to music.

Other highlights include the Special Shapes balloons - the monster trump balloon, which looks like a giant elephant, the Churchill nodding dog, and a Scottish piper.

This year the Red Arrows will perform an aerial display on Sunday, the final day of the event.

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