STRONG winds put paid to a hot air balloon competition at Lydiard Park at the weekend.

But despite the set back, thousands of visitors still managed to enjoy the first Swindon Hot Air Balloon Festival, which brought a host of attractions to the country park.

Twenty teams were planning to take part in the first phase of the British Ballooning Federation's Grand Prix, held for the first time in Swindon.

But the contest had to be abandoned on Saturday and yesterday because of poor weather.

Organisers were hoping the balloonists would be able to take to the skies today (Monday), the last day of the festival.

The frustrated balloonists were determined not to let the weather beat them.

Yesterday, they drove to Cirencester at 5.30am to try to take off from the grounds of a school.They planned to fly back to Lydiard Park, but when they got to Cirencester the wind was still too strong.

Organiser Keith Coulter said: "It's been very disappointing for the balloonists.

"We have managed to get some novelty balloons in the air, but they had to be tethered, and three competition balloons got up for a practice on Saturday morning.

"Despite the problems, we still got plenty of visitors, in fact we got 10,000 today (Sunday)."

A glow night which involved tethered balloons being fired up to the sound of classical music went ahead last night.

The balloonists might have been disappointed, but there was still plenty to enjoy at the free event, which was sponsored by local businesses, including the Evening Advertiser.

Youngsters enjoyed fairground rides and air cadets laid on marching displays, while a helicopter offered visitors a bird's-eye view of Swindon.

There are two more stages of the balloon competition, which will take place later in the year at different locations and will decide which five teams will go forward to represent the UK at the world championships in Australia next year.

Among those taking part in the contest was David Bareford, the reigning world champion balloonist.

David, 53, from Kidderminster, has flown balloons all over the world. He said: "The courses are very hard to complete, because it is difficult to navigate in an air balloon.

"I love ballooning though, it is the best way to see the countryside."