A FLEET of colourful hot air balloons took off from the centre of Bristol to mark the countdown to the city’s annual fiesta.

Eighteen balloons launched from College Green, taking in views of Bristol Cathedral, City Hall and the historic harbour early on Wednesday morning.

Passing commuters stopped to watch the balloons set off and admire model balloons and special shapes that were tethered on the green.

The 46th Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, which is free to attend, will return to Ashton Court Estate in the city from August 9 to 11.

More than 120 balloons are registered to attend the event, which aims to celebrate Bristol and its historic links to hot air ballooning – with the first recorded flight in the city dating back to the 18th century.

Mass ascents, in partnership with The Eco Scheme, are scheduled at dawn and just before dusk throughout the festival, if weather conditions allow.

On Friday and Saturday, visitors to the festival can stay beyond nightfall and experience nightglows, in which dozens of balloons inflate and use their burners to glow in time to music.

There will be specially shaped balloons including Rupert the Bear, Thomas the Tank Engine, Action Man, Pipy the Scottish Piper, Buster and Bella the Bulldogs, Astro the Alien, and Wallace & Gromit’s Moon Rocket.

This year’s event will also host the British National Hot Air Balloon Championships, which will see 15 balloon teams compete twice a day.