THREE Monmouthshire pilots took to the skies last week as part of Europe’s largest ballooning event.

The Tribute Bristol International Balloon Fiesta featured four days of colourful hot-air balloon displays, with half a million visitors gathering in Ashton Court mansion house to watch balloons of all shapes and sizes lift off over the city of Bristol.

Peter Richardson and Neil Edmunds from Usk and Peter Mossman from Llanishen all took part in the ballooning extravaganza which saw more than 130 hot air balloons lift off.

Peter Richardson, who has been piloting on and off for 18 years, was thrilled to be a part of the event. He said: “It was such a great experience, the fiesta is the biggest annual festival in Europe.

“Hundreds of balloons took off and it was nice to be involved, ballooning is such a social sport. You meet some lovely people in the air and on the ground too.

“Ballooning is a good way of switching off from the day job as you have to give it 100 per cent of your concentration.”

For more information about the Balloon Fiesta, visit: www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk