IT was up, up and away last weekend as the familiar sight of hot air balloons returned to grace the skies of Tavistock after a break of three years.

Around 10,000 people flocked to Crowndale for the West Country Balloon Fiesta, which saw 30 balloons take part in the three day event.

After a three year break due to lack of venue and lack of sponsorship the fiesta, organised by the Lions Club of Tavistock and Tavistock Round Table and supported by Tavistock Town Council, made a hugely successful comeback thanks to sponsorship from Robert Wiseman Dairies.

Steve Grummitt, spokesman for the Lions Club of Tavistock, said: 'It was a fantastic fiesta. We were lucky with the weather although regrettably due to strong winds there could be no flying on Sunday. I think this disappointed many people but we had to put safety first. I think most people understood.

'There were 52 balloon ascents over the weekend — six on Friday evening, 21 on Saturday morning and 25 on Saturday evening.

'This event was much smaller than previous events due to space, so we couldn't have the big arena displays but there were children's rides, inflatables and charity stalls.'

The fiesta also entertained crowds with a stunning night glow, in which five balloons were inflated and illuminated in the dark in time with music.

Steve said: 'This event was about getting people closer to the balloons, they were involved in the tethering, allowed in the baskets to see the workings of the balloons and were involved with the balloonists which is what we wanted to achieve.

'The crowds were immense.

'The Round Table ran out of beer twice, the Lions ran out of burgers and hot dogs, and the Red Cross ran out of cakes and had to bake some more.

'We were caught by surprise at how popular it was — we would like to apologise to anyone caught in the traffic around the town.'

Steve said at one point, Robert Wiseman Dairies lost one of their flags from their display stall in the wind and it was later seen being carried by someone in the town.

He said: 'If anyone has it or finds it, the dairy would like it back please.'