Balloonists are planning on returning to York next year after declaring the city’s first Balloon Fiesta an “absolute success”.

Nearly 50 multi-coloured aircraft were on show at Knavesmire and 26 flew together in a mass flight over the city on Saturday morning (September 30).

But the weather that led to all of the balloon flying today (Sunday, October 1) being cancelled and traffic problems that gridlocked the roads around York Racecourse meant that not everyone was happy with the three-day event.

Organiser Oliver Webb said: “It’s been an absolute success. It’s been incredibly popular.

“We’ve been up against it with the weather because it has been so changeable."

Saying he hoped to bring the event back next year, he added: “We want to make it an event to mark the end of the ballooning season, a final party, and we want to keep it at the racecourse. It will stay a free entry event.”

Car parking cost £6, of which £1 went to Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the rest to cover event costs.

Mr Webb said the traffic problems had been caused by a large influx of people arriving at once and the television coverage on Friday had probably increased the numbers attending.

“There have been some points brought up and some constructive ones,” he said. “We will be taking them on board and absolutely trying to improve for next year. There are certain areas we can improve on.”

Despite rain and wind grounding the balloons for some of the three days, the balloonists managed to keep the crowds entertained on the ground with a night glow yesterday evening, when tethered balloons were lit from below after dark.

Other ground based entertainment included birds of prey demonstrations and live music.

Today, Yorkshire Air Ambulance flew in to join the unpowered aircraft on the ground.

No date has been set for next year’s event, but it is likely to be about the same time of year.