Balloons bring out the big crowds

The festival ran for four days instead of the usual three

Organisers of the three-day Northampton Balloon Festival estimate that more than 250,000 people joined the crowds.

Visitor numbers were always expected to be higher than last year as an extra day was added to the festival to celebrate its 15 years of flying.

The good weather also meant the hot air balloons were able to race, proving great spectacles for the crowds.

A massive operation to clear away the large stage and many kilometres of fencing gets under way on Monday.

The Northampton Balloon Festival is the second largest ballooning event in the country after Bristol's Fiesta.

This year the large concert stage featured headline acts including Rachel Stevens and Lemar.