"THE WORLD is a nicer place, in my beautiful balloon. "It wears a nicer face in my beautiful balloon.

"We can sing a song, and sail along the silver sky, for we can fly..." So the Supremes sang, among others, and while someone should tell Richard Branson balloons aren't exactly an optimal mode of transport, they're still fun.

And this month's Big Balloon Festival in Blackwood aims to delight young and old alike with a display of ballooning to gladden every heart.

The festival was held for the first time last year and attracted more than 20,000 people to three days of ballooning fun.

It follows in the successful footsteps of Bristol's famous Balloon Fiesta, which goes into its 26th year this weekend.

Blackwood's festival promises a host of balloons in many different shapes and sizes. There will be two main launches each day, at 7.30am and 6pm, and regular balloon tethering displays.

The festival also offers live music, a funfair, street entertainers and a spectacular firework display on Saturday night.

And after sunset on Saturday there will also be the unusual sight of the night glow, where balloonist use their tethered craft as enormous Chinese lanterns.

Councillor Harry Andrews, leader of Caerphilly council, said: "The Big Balloon Festival is part of the council's summer events programme which also includes the hugely popular Big Cheese Festival, and we would encourage everyone to come along.

"As well as attracting local people, these events draw in people from outside the area which provides a boost to the local economy and helps put the borough on the tourist map."

The Big Balloon Festival takes place at Blackwood Showfield on the Bank Holiday weekend from Saturday August 28 to Monday August 30. For more information, call 02920 880011 or visit www.caerphilly.gov.uk/bigballoon