Balloonists enjoy flight over Bristol Airport

Normally pilots are not allowed close to the airport

Hot air balloonists from Bristol have been been making the most of a ban on air flights which has allowed them into normally prohibited airspace.

One of the balloons which took-off from Ashton Court estate near Bristol flew over Bristol Airport before landing near Blagdon Lake, on Sunday morning.

Pilot Clive Bailey said he had never known a situation when the balloon's radio was so quiet.

"It's beautiful, the sky's so clear and there's just three balloons," he said.

Normally pilots would not be allowed to fly close to the airport and they have to liaise with air traffic controllers if they want to climb higher than normal.

Mr Bailey added: "Although it's bad news for travellers it is really good for us.

"There's no air traffic for the controllers to warn us about and we have no restrictions on height.

"There are no contrails, no noise and nothing else in the sky except for three balloons."