Thousands attend town's balloon carnival

BBC Hot air balloons on the floor at nightBBC
Thousands turned out over the weekend for the event

Thousands of people came to see Shropshire's skies filled with multicoloured hot air balloons this weekend.

About 20 balloons took flight at Oswestry Balloon Carnival, hosted in Cae Glas Park.

The two-day event helps raise money for Nightingale House Hospice, which supports adults with life-limiting illnesses in Wrexham, north Shropshire and Derbyshire.

"Things like the Oswestry Balloon Carnival really help to bring in the funds," Lowri Sadler said, from the hospice.

People standing around hot air balloons on the ground
The balloon launch was at 06:00 BST on Saturday and Sunday

"It costs the hospice around £5m to run each year and only 18% of that is government supported," she added.

While the event was free, visitors could pay a voluntary £2 donation.

As well as hot air balloons, the event had live music, food stalls, performances and even alpacas to keep visitors entertained.

The hot air balloon launch took place at 06:00 BST on Saturday and Sunday morning, with a special night glow event on Saturday evening.

The event was also in association with Oswestry Town Council, Elevate Balloon Flights and supported by Oswestry Business Improvement District (BID).

Man working on a blue hot air balloon
The event was free but visitors could pay a voluntary £2 donation

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