Northampton Balloon Festival

Pilots from across the region took part in the first flight of the Northampton Balloon Festival today.

The three-day event attracts visitors from across the country.

This morning, an ITV News Anglia crew were lucky enough to be taken up for a ride.

More than 40 hot air balloons from across the country have gathered in Northampton for the start of the town's balloon festival.

The popular event at Billing Aquadrome is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

At 6am today, the balloons took off for their first flight.

They will fly again at 6pm and the festival runs until Sunday.

Reporter Olivia Paterson and cameraman Jonathon Stevens have been up, up and away in a hot air balloon to get some fantastic shots of the festival.