In pictures: Up, up and away – Hot air balloons add colour to Bristol skyline

Hot air balloons have been taking to the skies above Bristol for the past three days at the annual international fiesta.

First held in 1979, the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta celebrates the city’s links to hot air ballooning.

More than 100 hot air balloons have taken part in this year’s event, which is based in the hills of the Ashton Court area of the city.

A hot air balloonist flashes the burners as he prepares to lift off (Ben Birchall/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Ben Birchall

Hot air balloons lift off at the fiesta (Ben Birchall/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Ben Birchall

A balloon pilot checks the rigging during pre-flight inflation checks (Ben Birchall/PA)PA Archive/PA Images - Ben Birchall

(Ben Birchall/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Ben Birchall

Hot air balloons float above north Somerset (Ben Birchall/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Ben Birchall

(Ben Birchall/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Ben Birchall

(Ben Birchall/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Ben Birchall

(Ben Birchall/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Ben Birchall

(Ben Birchall/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Ben Birchall

(Ben Birchall/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Ben Birchall