A commemorative blue glass coaster is being created to mark the 23rd anniversary of the Bristol International Kite Festival, which takes place next week.

Bristol Blue Glass, in Brislington, has designed the exclusive coaster, showing kites flying over the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

Each supporter who signed up as a 'Friend of the Festival' will receive a coaster as a token of thanks from the organisers. The coasters will also be on sale to the public at the festival and through the event website.

Bristol Blue Glass has also offered to make the first 100 coasters for free to help cover the set-up costs of making the graphite stamp and creating the exclusive design.

This year's Bristol International Festival of Kites and Air Creations will take place in Ashton Court Estate, on September 12 and 13.

On show will be an action-packed aerial extravaganza featuring flying displays, kite fighting battles, synchronised routines flown to music and power kites, as well as colourful ground-based inflatables and air sculptures of all shapes and sizes.

International kite guests will be winging their way from as far as New Zealand and Australia to join flyers and enthusiasts from the UK and Europe.

Paul Williams, of Bristol Blue Glass, said: "When we heard about the kite festival's funding gap we were only too happy to get involved and lend our support to this important Bristol event.

"The team here at Bristol Blue Glass enjoy the challenge of making special commemorative pieces and I am sure that the kite festival coaster will prove popular with kite enthusiasts and the public alike."

Festival organiser Avril Baker added: "We are extremely grateful to Bristol Blue Glass for their generosity and help in making this special kite festival coaster. It will be a lovely thank you to all those who have helped support our campaign and will also provide a great memento. I am thrilled with the design and can't wait to see the finished coasters."

For more information, go to www.kite-festival.org.uk.