Thousands expected at Midlands Air Festival

Hot-air balloons and planes are set to take the skies over Warwickshire as the Midlands Air Festival returns this weekend.

Last year thousands of people flocked to Ragley Hall in Alcester for the three-day event which featured the Red Arrows. The aerobatic display team return again this weekend.

Running from Friday to Sunday, other highlights of this year's event include the cold war MiG 17F fighter jet from Poland and a French fire bomber, which will be dropping more than 3,000 litres (660 gallons) of water in four seconds, organisers said.

For balloon enthusiasts, there will be more than 100 giant, multicoloured hot-air balloons as well as a collection of character balloons.

Organisers added that they were particularly focused this year on promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics to young people and celebrating women in aviation, through their event.

Gates opens from 11:30 on Friday and highlights on the day include a planned hot-air balloon mass ascent from 19:00 and a balloon night glow from 21:50.

Saturday's highlights include another balloon ascent from 06:00, followed by an air display in two parts, one starting at 12:15, the other at 16:05.

More air displays and hot-air balloon tetherings are planned for Sunday before the event ends at 21:00.

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