OSWESTRY'S popular balloon carnival has raised more than £23,000 for charity.

The two-day hot air extravaganza, held in aid of Nightingale House Hospice in Wrexham, returned to the town at the weekend following a hiatus in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Crowds swarmed Cae Glas Park to get a close-up view of the balloons, while the town was buzzing with a carnival atmosphere that included stalls, music and dancers.

Border Counties Advertizer: Camera Club member Neil Evans sent in this great image of balloons being prepped in Cae Glas Park.Camera Club member Neil Evans sent in this great image of balloons being prepped in Cae Glas Park.

And Oswestry Advertizer Camera Club members were on hand to capture some fabulous shots of the display.

The event's organisers posted on Facebook: "Oswestry, thank you for your support in putting on the carnival.

Border Counties Advertizer: Balloons are inflated in Cae Glas Park. Picture by John Quine.Balloons are inflated in Cae Glas Park. Picture by John Quine.

"The weather at times was against us, but we managed to get the balloons out and about as often as we could.

"The balloon teams have all commented that the Oswestry crowds are the best in Britain.

"We hope you all enjoyed the balloon carnival."

Border Counties Advertizer: Up, up and away as one balloon takes off on Sunday morning. By John Quine.Up, up and away as one balloon takes off on Sunday morning. By John Quine.

Border Counties Advertizer: Camera Club member John Quine was up early for the take offs.Camera Club member John Quine was up early for the take offs.

Balloons had been due to take off at 6am and 6pm on both days, but on Saturday were rained off.

Fortunately, this didn't disrupt the visually spectacular night glow which lit up the park for visitors, while on Sunday morning all balloons took off over the region.

Windy conditions on Sunday evening meant that only one test balloon took off before landing a short time later.

Adele Nightingale, Oswestry Business Improvement District (BID) manager, said the town's footfall increased by nearly 30 per cent over the previous two weekends thanks to the inaugural Wellness Festival and the Oswestry Balloon Carnival.

"We are so pleased and heartened to see this footfall increase," she said.

"A great deal of hard work has gone into these events and the organisers have had to handle a host of tough challenges, but they’ve come through fantastically well – it’s such a huge lift for the town going forward."

Border Counties Advertizer: Julie Sheffield visited Cae Glas Park to watch the balloonists in action.Julie Sheffield visited Cae Glas Park to watch the balloonists in action.

Border Counties Advertizer: Balloons taking off by Neil Evans.Balloons taking off by Neil Evans.

Border Counties Advertizer: Dolly the Sheep balloon was one of the attractions this weekend. Picture by Camera Club member Sian Kerr.Dolly the Sheep balloon was one of the attractions this weekend. Picture by Camera Club member Sian Kerr.