How fog forced the Bristol balloons to drop in unexpectedly

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This was the scene in Bristol as entrants in the city's annual balloon fiesta found themselves coming down to earth with a bump.

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That sinking feeling: One of the balloons begins to deflate after landing

Hot air: A safety rope is used to help pull down the billowing balloon safely

One made an emergency landing in a builders' yard, one in a large garden and the one pictured above in a street where startled householders ran out to help the crew and make sure the deflating balloon was kept under control.

The three-day fiesta attracts crowds of more than 500,000 to Bristol, with mass lift-offs in the early morning and late afternoon.

The balloons forced down had been among 107 taking part in a morning ascent on Saturday.

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Down to earth: Residents make sure it all comes down neatly in one place

A fiesta spokesman said Bristol Airport had warned that low fog was descending on the city and outskirts.

It is accepted practice among balloonists that they land if fog moves in.

"I think we had five or six balloons land," he said.

"It is quite unusual to have that many."

Mohammed Naseem, a father of four from the Horfield area of the city, was surprised to look out of his window and discover a balloon in his front garden.

"There was this massive balloon with the basket on the lawn and the balloon itself floating in the air as people tried to get it to come down; it was quite surreal-said Mr Naseem, 50.

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Surprise: The balloon in Mohammed Naseem's garden

"I woke everyone-else up to come and have a look and made the pilot a cup of tea.

"He said he had a choice either to go to Ikea, which had a flat roof, or a park nearby, but both were too far away so he looked for the biggest garden instead.

"He landed in a perfect position; he just missed our vegetable patch and the two cars. It was great fun."