Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2024: Dozens of balloons soar over Bristol for early morning ascent

Hot air ballons have taken to the skies on day two of this year's Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.

It is the first mass ascent of the fiesta after high winds meant both the morning and evening mass ascents had to be cancelled on Friday.

Hundreds of fans were awake to watch as around 50 balloons launched from Ashton Court.

After a pilot briefing, the balloons eventually took off at around 6:30am heading north-east over the city centre towards Filton.

Organisers told people to keep their "eyes to the skies."

"We can't wait to wake you up on this fine Saturday morning with the beautiful spectacle of a mass ascent," they said.

"Make sure you get that steaming hot cuppa and give us a wave out of the window. They'll be heading towards Filton!"

Mass ascents are planned for 6am and 6pm each day for the duration of the fiesta - which started on Friday 9 August and ends on Sunday 11 August.

The decision on whether it's safe is made by the fiesta's specialist flight team at 6am and 7pm each day and is announced in the arena with a puff of either green smoke - for go - or red smoke if the conditions are too unsafe to fly.

Balloonist Nick Dunnington told ITV News West Country he was "elated" when he saw the green smoke.

"We were all very pleased," he said. "Obviously we come here specifically to fly, so when we get the green smoke, we were elated."

"It's always amazing when you get all of the balloons going out and the crowds cheering," he added.

In comparison to previous years where around 100 balloons have taken off, only 50 balloons launched this morning.

Mr Dunnington explained: "There were some different wind directions both on the ground and higher up, so some of the less experiences didn't go up."