The Oxford Balloon Fiesta is returning to Cutteslowe Park in Oxford for its sixth annual event.

On May 10 and 11, hot air balloons of all shapes and sizes, including Bertie Bassett and Sonic the Hedgehog, will be on display.

The Russian Baltika hot-air ship will be one of the star attractions.

The two-seat craft, which was designed in Britain and is now based in St Petersburg, will take its first flight in Britain over Cutteslowe Park.

Many of the balloons will float into the skies in mass launches at 6am and in the evenings at 6pm both days.

Neil Pickett, who created the Jean Michel Jarre laser lightshow at London Docklands in 1988, has designed the fireworks, laser and special effects for the Nightglow Spectacular on May 10.

Balloons will glow in time to music, as part of a "Wall of Fire".

The event is part of the city council's Fun in the Parks season of events, which is sponsored by the Oxford Mail and Fox FM.