Grounded: Weather hits second day of Oswestry Balloon Carnival - with video and pictures

The Oswestry Balloon Carnival at the seven-acre Cae Glas Park saw more than 30 balloons take to the air at the crack of dawn on Saturday, and again in the evening when wind died down.

However, today's heavy rain saw the rest of the two-day event called off on Sunday

Organisers said: "Due to the heavy rain and associated weather, there will be no more balloon activity today.

"We have also taken the step to advise stall holders to pack down early as the park is getting very wet and we would like to minimise vehicle movements to avoid damaging our lovely park.

"Once again we would like to thank the people of Oswestry for their fantastic support and we had a great day of weather yesterday."

Footage from Saturday:

People packed into the park from 6am on Saturday, when tethered balloons were launched before wind conditions made it too dangerous. Then throughout the day fairground rides and stalls entertained, and the Owl Man UK brought a selection of impressive birds for members of the public to hold.

Pilot Mike Webb is the vice-chair of the Oswestry Balloon Club, members of which were present throughout the carnival to provide information and assist those flying the balloons. He took part in the flights in a balloon which bears Richard Branson's signature. The balloon belonged to a pilot who received it as a gift from Branson.

Mike, 59, said: "We have had lots of people coming to us asking about balloons and the club, it has been an impressive turnout in this park.

"I love flying because every flight is different. I much prefer flying in a balloon at 500 feet than in a plane at 2,000 feet. You can see so much more detail."

Some of more unusual balloons that took place in the flying included a giant Lindstrand Technologies penguin, a smiley face emoji and a replica Panasonic battery.

The balloon club meets every second month at the Sweeney Hall Hotel in the town.

One of those that welcomed the festival's arrival in Oswestry was Graham Brown, who recently moved to Shropshire with his family. He and wife Jane both came to the balloon carnival on Saturday.

Graham said: "We come from Somerset where they have the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, which we enjoyed. It's something a bit different, and a good day out. It is quite a spectacle when all the balloons go up."

This was the second balloon festival to go ahead in Shropshire, after last year's at the nearby British Ironwork Centre. Prior to that the event took place in Wales.

Nightingale House Hospice, Oswestry Town Council, Lindstrand Technologies and Cloud 9 Balloons came together to put on the carnival for a second year.

Nightingale House fundraiser Amanda Kinsey said: “The park, which is right in the centre of the town, is a wonderful setting to see the balloons take off and a beautiful backdrop to the Night Glow spectacular on the Saturday night. Cae Glas Park is a unique venue to host a Balloon Carnival and it helped to make the event one to remember.”

Lindstrand Technologies is based in Oswestry, and in its 25-year history has produced more than 1,000 hot air balloons, including the largest ever thermal airship.

The Night Glow on Saturday night saw balloons lit up in sequence to music.

The weekend also saw Oswestry host a continental food market at the Bailey Head.