Balloons can be a familiar site over the skies of Bristol but you've probably never seen one quite like this.

This balloon is a replica of the Chateau de Balleroy in Normandy, France, and was created by Bedminster-based Cameron Balloons.

It was commissioned by the late Malcolm Forbes, who was one of the wealthiest men in America and also owned the original 17th-century chateau the balloon is modelled on.

Mr Forbes created the famous American publication Forbes Magazine, and was known for his expensive tastes.

As well as the chateau, he owned a jet, a yacht, nine Faberge eggs and a collection of Harley Davidson motorbikes.

He is reported to have spent $2.5 million on his 70th birthday, flying some of the world's rich and famous to a palace in Morocco.

Guests included Elizabeth Taylor and Robert Maxwell.

The chateau balloon, which is 28ft tall and 60ft wide, was just one of a collection with special shapes belonging to Mr Forbes, who died in 1990. It is still owned by the Forbes family but was in Bristol yesterday for some minor repairs.

Cameron Balloons, the world's largest manufacturer of hot-air balloons, is owned by Don Cameron, who helped create the International Balloon Fiesta Bristol.

Mr Cameron said: "Over many years Malcolm Forbes ordered a long series of special shape balloons from us.

"He used to go on goodwill tours and each time he would have us produce a balloon for that country – a sphinx for Egypt, an elephant for Thailand and a bust of Beethoven for Germany."