A SPECTACULAR early morning balloon display launched the official countdown to one of Burnley's biggest festivals.

Up to 30,000 people are expected to converge on the town in August for the north west's only balloon festival of the year.

The event, planned for the Bank Holiday weekend of August 24 and 25, is to celebrate the centenary of Towneley Park, the Queen's Golden Jubilee and the opening of a new museum extension at Towneley Hall.

Organisers today heralded the event with a special balloon launch with special guests, Mayor and Mayoress of Burnley, Councillor Gordon and Mrs Kathleen Birtwistle, and announced details of the attractions expected at the festival.

A musical nightglow flight by balloons and firework display will mark the climax to the event which will also see a fun fair, craft stalls and children's games over the two days.

There will also be four mass balloon launches and displays by the Historic Balloon Society.

The festival will also see the official opening of a new wing at the hall's museum marked by a giant compass stone which has been laid outside the extension, paid for by a £1.1m Heritage Lottery grant.

The sculpture by Chrysalis Arts, an arts group based in Gargrave, North Yorkshire was commissioned by Burnley Borough Council and celebrates the life and achievements of Richard Towneley, the 17th century navigator, meteorologist and Astronomer Royal.

Karin Wilson, chairman of Burnley Marketing Group, who have organised the summer festival, said: "The balloon festival event will be a great day out for all the family and is the only ballooning event in the north west planned for this year.

"The venue for the event is the jewel in Burnley's crown and the event promises to be the best ever held in the town.

"We are very excited about the festival which will put Burnley on the map for all the right reasons."