What's on at Swindon's first balloon festival?

A night glow is part of the plans for the balloon festival

Swindon's first hot air balloon festival will be taking place at Lydiard Park on 4 and 5 July.

Around 30 balloons are expected, including some in unusual shapes like aliens and snakes, and the event will also have after dark night glows and fireworks.

Organisers say there will also be an arena where visitors can see stunt teams, historical re-enactments, along with a funfair and craft tent.

The balloon launches will be dependent on the weather, but are planned for between 18:00 and 19:30 BST.

The balloons will be launched at 18:00 BST each day

What will be on?

Organiser David Bailey said that the night glow will see the balloons firing their burners while tethered to the ground.

"They inflate them to music, and because it's dark you see all the colours like a light bulb," he added.

The night glows are scheduled for 21:45 BST both evenings, with firework displays after.

"We've got a motorbike stunt team and the viking skirmishes," Mr Bailey added.

"The viking village is really good, it's like going back in time."

There will also be an American Civil War re-enactment, a circus workshop and food stalls.

The Saturday programme has extras, including a parachute team dropping into the main arena and a dog agility show.

Balloons go up subject to the weather

How do I get there?

The festival site at Lydiard Park, to the west of Swindon, will open at 16:00 BST on Friday 4 July, and 12:00 BST on the 5 July, and will close at 23:00 BST each day.

There is parking onsite. Dogs are allowed, as long as they are kept on leads, and so are picnics, but no glass or alcohol is allowed in. No gazebos, big umbrellas or BBQs are permitted.

What about tickets?

Early bird tickets are available online up until midday on 4 July, costing £4.25 each with booking fee for the Friday, and £7.25 for the Saturday.

Tickets bought on the day will cost £7 for the Friday, and £9 for adults and £7 for children on the Saturday.