Balloons fill morning sky for final day of Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

Hot air balloons have taken to the skies for the final day of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.

Around 60 balloons launched from Ashton Court for Sunday's morning flight, with thousands of people awake early to watch.

It marks the third mass ascent of the fiesta, and follows two successful night glows.

Mass ascents are always planned for 6am and 6pm on each day of the fiesta, but are very much weather dependent.

The decision on whether it's safe for balloons to take off is made by a specialist flight team and is announced with a smoke canon in the main arena, with green signalling go.

None of the balloons were able to fly on Friday due to high winds.

Organisers said the wind speed for Sunday morning's ascent was "calm," but the direction could be challenging for the pilots.

"While the wind speeds are calm, wind direction is to the West, which isn't the best direction for balloons," they said.

"So, we will see a combination of free flying by our experienced pilots, and a tether show from the rest."

The British National Hot Air Balloon Championships, which have been running since the 1970s, are also being hosted by the fiesta this year.

About 15 teams of balloonists are taking flight twice a day as part of the championships.

It is the first time the competition has taken place in Bristol.

The teams flew over Ashton Court following Sunday morning's mass ascent, with the aim of dropping a marker on a white cross in the arena.

Pilot Tom Hook was the only competitor who managed to make the drop, scoring 1000 points to add to his final total.