Fiesta gave me ballooning ambition at four

Doug Hoddinot has been a fan of ballooning all of his life

A balloon pilot says the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta inspired him to want to be a balloonist from the age of four.

Doug Hoddinott, 37, who runs an advertising inflatables and balloon company in the city, started visiting the event as a young child and said it is still "the highlight of my year".

"From the beginning, I just got infatuated with it and I've been told my first word was 'oon'," he said.

"Once you're at the balloon festival, you get to see balloons from around the country, from Europe, from the world. It's an exciting part of the event."

Mr Hoddinot's grandmother lived in Cliftonwood, near the famous Cameron Balloons' base, and would write down all the test balloons she saw during the week for them to discuss when he visited at the weekend.

"As a boy, I was always excited when it got to the evening or when my grandmother woke me up early to see the balloons," he said.

"It was all the colours, all the shapes and sizes that just got me hooked."

He bought his first balloon at 18, gained his pilot's licence two years later and three years ago made ballooning his full-time job by setting up his own company.

Doug, front right, has attended the Bristol balloon fiesta since he was a boy

He said, although things have changed and children live a more online life, there still seems to be a lot of young people getting involved in ballooning.

"And I think the biggest draw for balloons is the wacky shapes and vibrant colours. They always get the children excited," he said.

He said his favourite balloon "of all time is Rupert the Bear, no discussion".

Working at the festival, Mr Hoddinot said the lead-up can be stressful, but he is always happy to be there.

"There's a great camaraderie amongst balloonists. Everyone will help each other out. The whole ballooning fraternity supports each other," he said.