HOT air balloons should be taking to the skies above Durham when a festival returns to the city later this year.

The Balloons InDurham event, which will be taking place for the third time, will be held during the summer instead of over the late May bank holiday weekend.

The change is being made because of a decision to hold the event in the city centre, rather than at East Durham College’s Houghall Campus, on the outskirts of the city, as in previous years.

Adam Deathe, Business Engagement Manager at Durham’s Business Improvement District (BID), which organised the event, said: “Balloons InDurham has had two successful years at East Durham College Houghall Campus, and now that we have been able to prove ourselves, it is time to work with stakeholders to bring the event into the city as originally planned.

The Northern Echo:

“As you can appreciate, the logistics of moving the whole festival into the city is not a small task, given we’re constrained by the history and heritage of the landscape, which of course we need to be mindful and respectful of.

“As such, we’re working with our colleagues and key stakeholders of the event with a view to Balloons InDurham taking place exclusively in Durham City later in the year. It’s a hugely exciting time for all and is sure to bring even greater benefits to businesses in the city.”

Last year the event was split between Houghall College and The Sands, in the city centre, and featured the launch of about half a dozen balloons, a balloon “glow” and kite flying demonstrations.

The Northern Echo:

The dates, locations and programme of this year’s festival has not yet been released.

Mr Deathe added: “The event has done a great deal to put the city on the map, having had coverage across several national titles as well as an unbelievable engagement on social media, and now we are keen to take the event to new heights, every (dad joke) pun intended.”