The opening ceremony of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta got under way yesterday, with an estimated 100,000 people watching the striking night glow.

Just four shaped balloons went up because of fears about the weather but the thousands who made their way to Ashton Court were treated to a dry evening.

They also enjoyed a performance of thrilling jumps from the EXIT parachute team before the Royal Marine Band beat the retreat as a pre-cursor to the main event.

Then, with excitement growing, more than 20 balloon pilots created a variety of dazzling effects from only three main commands – burn, flicker and flash.

The sequences kicked off to Richard Strauss's Also Sprach Zarathustra, the iconic score from Stanley Kubrick's cult film 2001: A Space Odyssey.

It then continued, expertly choreographed to the rhythm of the music, with a special mix of hits which included Abba, Tom Jones, Barry White and a series of Motown classics.

Despite kicking off around 25 minutes late, the crowd at Europe's biggest hot air balloon festival at Ashton Court Estate erupted into applause.

The atmospheric display led to a dramatic finale – a magnificent firework display put together by Bristol- based Skyburst.

The Thursday night glow is one of the Fiesta's biggest attractions as people of all ages gathered for the official opening ceremony with the model balloons.

Damien Spreckley, 30, from Avonmouth, said: "I know a lot of people think it's a bit sad but I actually thought it looked pretty impressive and at least the rain held off."

Rupert Bartovsky, 31, from Bedminster, added: "It's a great spectacle, my daughter Ella loved it. It was a really good atmosphere and definitely worth the wait."

Susan Tanner, event director, told the Bristol Evening Post last night: "Tonight's night glow went fantastically, we had 23 hot air balloons in the arena, all magically glowing in time to specially choreographed music followed by our firework display.

"Crowds were estimated at over 100,000 which is just great and hopefully Saturday's SPARK Data Systems night glow will be just as successful."

The free festival includes several giant novelty balloons, including the Churchill Dog, a Scottish Piper and the world's largest blue squares, which are new this year.

Flights began yesterday afternoon, but the free flights did not take place last night because of the weather, however they are expected to run as normal until Sunday between 6am and 6pm.

Organisers are hoping the rain stays away, as last year's opening ascent was cancelled due to adverse conditions.

The Red Arrows and parachute jumps will also feature at the festival.