'No more balloon fiesta flights before main event'

Organisers say "unfavourable" weather mean Wednesday's ascents had to be cancelled

Bristol Balloon Fiesta's organisers say they do not anticipate any more flights ahead of the main event on Friday.

Wednesday's community ascent was cancelled due to high winds making the launch unsafe, as balloons ascend to 2,000 ft (609m).

It was part of the new city-wide "Fiesta Week", which sees hot air balloons popping up in local communities. Rain forecast tomorrow has made any more flights unlikely.

The main three-day event is still expected to go ahead, with mass ascents scheduled at Ashton Court Estate at 06:00 BST and 18:30 each day.

Organisers took to social media on Wednesday to announce the cancellation.

"We had hoped to bring you bright news for your morning but unfortunately while wind speeds at ground level are okay, the winds up high are not safe to fly this morning," they wrote.

The main event is still expected to go ahead as normal

Multiple elements are factored into the decision on whether to launch or not, with wind speeds being one of the key one issues.

Monday's flight was cancelled due to "unfavourable" weather, with wind speeds of about 30mph.

But on Tuesday, as the clear skies returned and the wind subsided, around a dozen hot air balloons took to the skies, allowing for the first and only flight of Fiesta Week.

A fiesta spokesperson continued: "With tomorrow's forecast showing rain coming through we are not anticipating any flying before the main Fiesta now."

They added "the good news" is the forecast seems to improve as the week goes on.

However, Ian Fergusson, BBC West's weather forecaster, said it might be difficult to tell whether the balloons will take flight until the morning of each day.

"Exactly how winds at the surface and up aloft will dictate prospects for balloon flights will be determined and assessed by fiesta organisers much nearer the times of each planned mass ascent," Mr Fergusson said.

The main fiesta has been reduced from four days to three amid rising costs.