DOZENS of hot air balloons have taken it the skies above Bristol this morning ahead of the city's International Balloon Festival later this month.
The clear skies and still weather made for perfect take off conditions for the flotilla of airborne beauties as they floated slowly across the West Country during the early hours.
The annual festival is set to take place from the 11th to the 14th of August with today's take off serving as the press launch for the event.
The free event is held at Ashton Court in the city every year and the 30 balloons that glided over the Bristol this morning are just the first contingent of more than 150 that will fly from dawn till dusk during the festival.
Half a million people are expected to attend the event to drink in the spectacle in the skies.
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A balloon pilot checks his burner and inflates the balloon in preparation for flight from Clifton Downs, BristolCredit: PA:Press Association
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Dozens of balloons took to the West country skies this morning ahead of the festivalCredit: Alamy
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Pilots readied themselves at dawn this morning to allow the people of Bristol to catch a glimpse of the flotilla over their morning coffeeCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
Thirty balloons took off this morning as part of the press launch for the eventCredit: Alamy
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A pilot checks his balloon in preparation for flight to publicise the free eventCredit: PA:Press Association
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The balloons took off from Clifton Downs on the outskirts of the city early this morningCredit: PA:Press Association
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As dawn broke the sky filled with brightly coloured orbs emblazoned with a raft of sponsorsCredit: PA:Press Association
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A pilot uses a selfie stick to capture the moment his vessel takes to the West Country skiesCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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An engine lies in wait to fill a balloon with hot gas to send it soaring skyward and glide over BristolCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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A balloon promoting Tattinger champagne inflates ready for take off on Clifton Downs near BristolCredit: PA:Press Association
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Hot air balloons pass over the city of Bristol during a mass balloon launch from Clifton DownsCredit: PA:Press Association
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Cyclists stop to drink in the view as 30 hot air balloons rise into the Bristol skiesCredit: Alamy
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Back gardens and houses as seen from above as the balloons make their way over BristolCredit: PA:Press Association
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This year marks the 38th Bristol International Balloon festivalCredit: PA:Press Association
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More than half a million people are expected to attend the event with goes encouraged to plan ahead to avoid delaysCredit: PA:Press Association
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The West Country skies are set to be filled with balloons over the coming days as the festival gets into full swingCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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The event is set to take place from the 11th to the 14th of AugustCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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The venue for the Bristol Balloon Fiesta is Ashton Court, a former stately homeCredit: PA:Press Association
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The event is billed as Europe's largest annual meeting of hot air balloons attracting balloonists from around the worldCredit: PA:Press Association
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Guests at the event will be treated to fairground rides, trade stands and entertainment on the ground as the main event takes place above their headsCredit: PA:Press Association
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The inflated balloons gathered on the ground ahead of their spectacular launch at dawn todayCredit: PA:Press Association
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The morning sun shines through the fabric of a multicoloured balloon ahead of its launch this morningCredit: PA:Press Association
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The event is clearly not just for those watching the display on the ground as a pilot takes an epic selfie as his balloon soars into the skyCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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Balloons ascend in to the sky on the press launch for the 2016 Bristol Balloon Fiesta at Ashton Court EstateCredit: PA:Press Association
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