Image source, Michael Witty

This wonderful picture of the Wallace and Gromit's Moon Rocket, designed in collaboration with Aardman and supporting the Bristol Children's Hospital, was sent in by balloon-watcher Michael Whitty this morning.

"Is there a more Bristolian sight than an Wallace & Gromit balloon (closely followed by a Shaun the Sheep balloon) taking off from the Bristol Balloon Fiesta?!" he said.

Remember you can send us your pictures and videos in the form on this page - we'd love to see them!

He may no longer be able to fly, but he's still magnificent to behold.

Thomas the Tank Engine - long a popular fixture of the fiesta - has returned in all his splendour to the field, wowing visitors watching on from the sidelines.

Clara Bullock
Live page reporter at the Bristol Balloon Fiesta

Balloons aren't the only draw to the fiesta - in the hours between mass ascents and nightglows there is a whole host of shows, demonstrations and activities to get involved with.

And with many people bringing their four-legged friends to enjoy the fun, dog trainer Dakota - her circus name - is helping them get circus-ready within an hour.

"We take previously un-circused dogs and we turn them into circus performers in about 45 minutes flat, we train about five tricks in a pressure-free environment using high-value food like chicken, ham and cheese," explained Dakota.

"We then put a circus ruff around their neck and put on a tiny, mini show of everything they've just learned."

"It's the best job in the world," she added, "but for my participants doing the training it can be quite transformative.

"Lots of people turn up saying 'my dog's not obedient, my dog won't do it', and everybody just has a good time."

Thank you to balloon watcher Felicity who captured these beautiful pictures this morning from Long Ashton, which was directly under the flight path of many of the early balloons.

Image source, Felicity

Image source, Felicity

While we were catching up with Carol Vorderman at this morning's launch, she told us about how her flight during the fiesta press launch in July ended by being rescued by workers on a building site.

"The winds were quite still that day so we didn't travel very far [from the launch site at College Green] and we ended up landing just off the [Long Ashton] bypass roundabout," she said.

"There's a huge new sort of industrial estate thing being built and there's a small lake they have built.

"So we ended up on this thing, the burners on - we'd go up, [with] no wind to pull us up, down, up, down and by the end of it there were about 40 burly lovely guys with their hard hats and high-vis jackets [watching on]

"They dragged us over and then we landed there in the middle of this building site, it was very funny."

Among the crowds this morning was Bristol celebrity Carol Vorderman, who described the spectacle as "stunning", adding "there's nothing like it, is there?".

As for her favourite balloons? "Yesterday I loved the panda, and then this morning I saw the koala bear," she said.

"Oh I'm pathetic - I actually cry when I see them. They're just so sweet and romantic and lovely," she added.

"I'm a pilot - not a balloon pilot but little planes - and I love air shows and so on, but there's just something about the hot air balloon which is remarkable."

At first glance this morning, it seemed that many balloons were heading in a south-easterly direction across the city, but as the ascent when on this saw something of a change.

The tracker map actually shows almost all the balloons drifted west into the countryside.

Image source, Balloon Fiesta

We've had glorious weather so far this fiesta, but even so the sight of dozens of balloons inflating is something we're trying not to take for granted.

Many a mass ascent has been called off in the past for rain or high winds, so to see this glorious view first thing this morning is something to celebrate.

He was one of the big characters of yesterday morning's ascent, after he was landed in a small primary school car park in south Bristol - and he's back today.

Sarah Turnnidge
Live page reporter

Image source, Ash Samuelson

The nature of the balloon fiesta means it is truly a city-wide event, totally dependent on wherever the wind blows.

Last night, the stunning display drifted towards the east of the city. Ash Samuelson from Easton sent us these adorable pictures from Netham Park, where the Panasonic Battery hot air balloon landed.

"The pilots were amazing, they let all the children jump on the envelope to let the air out and gave badges to my two and four-year-old at the end for helping," he told us.

While we try our best, we can't be everywhere during the fiesta - which is why we love hearing your stories and seeing your pictures. To get in touch, use the quick form on this page.

Image source, Ash Samuelson

Take a look at some of the beautiful pictures we've been sent this morning from viewers across the city - thank you!

If you've taken a great snap from wherever you are, please do send it to us using the form on this page (at the top on mobile phones, on the left if you're on a computer).

Image source, John Dalby

Image source, David Cole

If you've been in Bristol for the past day there's a good chance you've seen the giant suitcase flying past - but not like this.

We went inside the envelope this morning to watch the enormous sculptural balloon inflate before it took flight.

We'll have a video showing how the inflation worked later on.

Saturday's early mass ascent is now well under way, with balloons of all shapes and sizes drifting across the city.

If you couldn't quite face the dawn excursion to Ashton Court fear not - you can watch all the action up close here.

According to the balloon tracker, most of the first flights to set off this morning are headed in a south-easterly direction over Bedminster, Knowle and Hengrove.

But as we heard from flight director Clive Bailey yesterday, this could change as the morning draws on - as the sun warms the ground the air can slowly change direction.

Image source, Bristol Balloon Fiesta

The first balloons have already taken to the skies, and many more are ready to join them.

Keep your eyes peeled wherever you are - we'll keep you updated on the direction they seem to be heading in once we have a clearer picture.

Quick work by the pilots and balloon crews! The first one is away.

Eyes to the sky, people.

We've had green smoke which means flights are going ahead on Saturday morning.

The pilots have just left their early morning briefing. Standby!