BURNLEY Balloon Festival organisers have launched a new website to encourage more people to visit the annual event.

Preparations for the third annual festival, which takes place in July, are well under way, with added attractions including the Utterly Butterly Wingwalking team.

In the past it has attracted in excess of 30,000 visitors from all over the country and has grown to become the largest event of its kind in the North West.

With the new website, www.burnleyballoonfestival.co.uk, up and running the organisers hope to reach even more people.

Paul Howard, development and promotions manager for Initiative Burnley, said: "We have been looking for another avenue to explore to help get the message out country-wide that the Burnley Balloon Festival is the place to be in July.

"The website has been a natural progression of our marketing and has been cost effective as it was designed in-house. We have already received comments from as far afield as Florida."