Malmesbury kite festival received soaring acclaim as contestants from around the world lined up to take part on Sunday.

High-flying teams from Kuwait, the Netherlands, Belgium and the UK went head to head in the event, with kites visible as far away as Oaksey, six miles from the site.

The festival is in honour of a local legend, monk Eilmer, who flew 200 yards from the Abbey tower on home-made wings in 1010AD.

Organiser Francesca Caton said: “It was a very successful weekend.

“People keep asking me if we’ll repeat the experience next year, but I keep telling them I need to take some time out before I can answer that!” The spectacular kites on display included the Kuwaiti team’s giant octopus and manta ray, Brit Kelvin Woods’ exotic butterfly collection, and Jerry and Carolyn Swift’s giant teddy bears.

Jonathan Caton, the former president of the British Kiting Association, said: “It all went quite smoothly.

“I think it’s hard to pick a highlight. The whole weekend was amazing. We’ve had such fantastic feedback from the spectators, which is very encouraging.”

Coun Catherine Doody said: “The event is so important to Malmesbury.

“It was just the right sort of thing for our town.”