A balloon pilot from near Bath has challenged other top flyers from around the country to come and beat him in an aerial contest above the city – starting with a rare mass launch from the famous Royal Crescent.

And it isn’t just pride at stake, as while the lucky passengers will enjoy a traditional champagne toast, Virgin Balloon Flights’ pilot Mark Simmons has promised he’ll fill a huge balloon basket with cans of beer for the person who can leave him feeling deflated.

Nine massive red Virgin balloons, flown by the company’s pilots from as far away as Norfolk, Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Cheshire and Scotland, plus the Roman Baths balloon, will take part in the Virgin Balloon Flights Bath Balloon Challenge. Weather permitting, they will take off from in front of the picturesque Royal Crescent in the city centre, at around 7pm on Saturday, September 1, after Bath & North East Somerset Council granted permission.

They will take part in a Hare & Hounds competition where one balloon launches first as the ‘hare‘ before the others give chase, trying to use the wind - because balloons cannot be steered - to follow its path as closely as possible. The winner is the pilot who drops their marker closest to the ‘hare’ balloon, once it has landed.

Pilot Mark, 38, who is known as Nobby and lives in Purlpit near Atworth, said his knowledge of the wind and weather in the area would see him through.

He said: “It’s simple; if anyone beats me, I’ll buy them enough beer to fill a 16-man balloon basket, which is about 1,000 cans. If I win, then all the other pilots will have to do the same for me. It’s all a bit of fun really, but it would be nice to win for local pride.

“It’s very rare that we get so many Virgin pilots and balloons together at one time and Bath is the perfect place for it as it is so beautiful from the air. It’s a privilege to fly from the in front of the Royal Crescent and the mini-fiesta will create an incredible spectacle for all the lucky passengers and everyone on the ground.”

Mark, who usually does champagne balloon flights from launch sites around the region, including Royal Victoria Park, thanked the council for giving permission for the launch.