KITE FLYERS reached for the skies as the annual Kite Festival took off on Weymouth Beach.

Enthusiasts from far and wide came to show off their kites and their flying skills as well as inspiring youngsters to have a go themselves.

A colourful display of single line kites set up on the beach was accompanied by sporting kite displays and aerial acrobatics, with the entertainment continuing today.

Workshops and competitions were also held for children keen to have a go at flying their own kites.

Organiser Alan Pothecary said conditions were ideal for the event, which has been running for over 20 years, and it has proved as popular as ever.

He said: “Everything has gone really well.

“There were a few more kites than we usually get on the Saturday and from a kite flyer’s point of view there was a good steady breeze, which is just what we want.

“It’s a attracting quite a few people.”

Mr Pothecary said the kite flyers had come from all over the country and overseas to enjoy the established event.

He said: “There was a pair who came over from Canada and a team from Holland.”

Mr Pothecary said there was plenty to keep people entertained today with dazzling displays in the arena.

Brian Smith came down from Abingdon in Oxfordshire as part of the White Horse Kite Flyers group.

He said the Weymouth Beach event was always popular with kite flyers.

Mr Smith added: “Some of the guys have been coming down here for 20 years, it’s a real jamboree.”

Linda and Michael Howard, from Clacton in Essex, previously ran a trade stand at the event but this year were among those displaying kites.

Michael said: “We used to run a trade stand here since the festival began but now we are just doing displays, which is a bit more relaxing .

“We’re enjoying it so far.”

The kite festival is being accompanied by a fun fair in the Pavilion forecourt running throughout the bank holiday weekend.