LAST year it was the third largest event of its kind in the country ? now organisers are hoping even more hot air balloons will be going up, up and away at the 2004 Westcountry Balloon Fiesta in Tavistock.

This is the twelfth balloon fiesta, which incorporates the popular ?Day at the Races?, with balloonists from all over the country and mainland Europe due to descend on Crowndale over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

?We are confident this year?s fiesta will be the best ever with the largest number of balloons ever being seen in the sky?s over the South West peninsular,? said fiesta press officer Steve Grummitt.

Organised jointly by the Lions Club of Tavistock and Tavistock Round Table, the event has become known as the ?Friendly Fiesta? by participants.

With near-perfect weather conditions last year around 40 balloons were on site with just over 150 take-offs being recorded during the weekend.

A massed ascent of balloons will herald the start of the festival on the Friday evening (August 27) with a spectacular nightglow of around 12 balloons after dusk has fallen, accompanied by classical music.

There will be further flights around 6am on the Saturday with the main programme for the afternoon to include horse racing where young and old dress up in pantomime costumes and race around an obstacle course made up of hay bales. A betting tote will be available.

Other entertainment is planned, including a comedy magician and the ?Let?s Shimmy? dancing group and there will be plenty of stalls, huge inflatable slides and castles for the children, a charity bazaar, refreshments and a bar.

Balloons take off again on Saturday night and Sunday and there will be the Far West tug-o-war championship, which has been another highlight of the fiesta for the last five years.

?We hope some special shaped balloons, including the Virgin jumbo jet balloon, will accompany the more conventional shapes,? added Mr Grummitt.

?Members of the Royal Signals and the Royal Artillery will be aiming to parachute jump from the high flying balloons, landing back in the main arena from which they took off on Saturday and Sunday.?

Charities to benefit this year will be Breakthrough and the BBC Chestnut Appeal, which fund research and treatment for breast cancer and prostate cancer respectively. Chestnut Appeal patron Judi Spiers will be officially opening the event.

Entry to the fiesta is free but a charge of £5 is made for car parking. Flights can be booked in advance on 01404 823102 or on the day.