The Bristol Balloon Fiesta fireworks have been praised as the best yet after local firework company celebrated its 16th year firing for the event.

Skyburst the Firework Co. created two specially designed displays to accompany the Balloon Glows on Thursday and Saturday night at Bristol’s annual festival.

Skyburst managing director Alan Christie said it is one of the business’ favourite displays of the year and every effort is put into making it stand out.

He said: “This is the 16th year we have supported the Bristol Balloon Fiesta and we are thrilled with reports that it was the best firework displays yet.

“We began planning for the event months ago and I spent hours creating the displays and timing them to music on the specialist software we use. We worked to themes for each night so it was great to choose the music and the best products to use for each section.

“We began rigging the displays last Tuesday and we had 15 technicians working on-site over the weekend. We all work for free because we love this event so much and we matched what the organisers put in pound for pound to make sure it was the best it could be.

“I’ve been sourcing the best products available since my trip to China earlier in the year. The Chinese produce the best on the market so I made sure I brought some back for the displays.”

The Thursday show, which had a theme of ‘The Best of British’, consisted of Alan and the team firing a total of 587 shells in just under five minutes. Classic Brit Pop was played and the red, white and blue focused display also included smiley faces and heart shaped bangs.

The Saturday evening show saw a whopping 647 shells fired in just over five minutes. The theme for this display was ‘Party Night’ and Skyburst played a succession of party hits to accompany the colourful display, which built up to a dazzling crescendo that lit up the whole sky and surrounding woods.

Alan continued: “During the Saturday night display we used around ½ ton of pyro, four tons of equipment and 247 ignition points. We set up five firing positions, so it was quite a project!

“The organiser Mike Richmond of REM said it was the best display he’s seen, which we were thrilled with.

“Firework technology is getting better and better every year with new software, products and firing techniques emerging all the time. This year was a real high point for us and we hope to continue our relationship with the Balloon Fiesta for years to come.”

To find out more about Skyburst the Firework Co please visit: http://www.skyburst.co.uk/