The Bristol Kite Festival has been saved after a desperate appeal plugged a £10,000 funding gap.

Organiser Avril Baker decided to go ahead with the international event after receiving pledges of £7,500.

After a campaign was launched last month small donations flooded in from local people, kite enthusiasts from around the world and online auctions of custom kites.

But the turning point came when the Al Farsi family of Kuwait – owners of the world's largest kite – stepped in to help.

The family pledged more than half the total needed, ensuring the event's survival.

On Monday Abdulrahman Al Farsi visited Bristol to meet the festival's organisers and the Lord Mayor, Chris Davies.

Mrs Baker said: "I am so pleased we can finally confirm that the festival is going ahead.

"The past few weeks have been a real emotional roller coaster as we just didn't know if we could secure the funds to go ahead and I was dreading the prospect of cancelling.

"Since we launched our appeal we have been amazed by the many wonderful messages of good will, but this donation by the Al Farsi family has been the deciding factor and we are really very grateful to them for their generosity.

"We still need to raise the last few thousand pounds but I am confident now that we will make our target and can put on a really good festival as planned."

Mr Al Farsi said: "I have never forgotten the warm welcome we received when we first brought our big flag kite to Bristol five years ago.

"Bristol is a wonderful festival and an important event in the international kite calendar and I am delighted to be able to help secure its future."

The Al Farsi's record breaking kite, in the shape of a 3D Kuwaiti flag, made its debut at Bristol and Portsmouth kite festivals in 2004, and went on to set the world record the following year.

The Al Farsi kite team has since displayed their kite, equivalent in size to an Olympic swimming pool.

The 2009 Bristol Kite Festival, the 23rd, will take place on September 12 and 13 at Ashton Court. On show will be an action packed aerial extravaganza, featuring spectacular flying displays, kite battles, synchronised routines flown to music and power kites, as well as colourful ground-based inflatables and air sculptures.

The festival will be supporting Marie Curie Cancer Care.