SAFETY at this year's Burnley Balloon Festival will be tightened up following the death of a young girl in a freak accident in Germany.

The organisers of this year's event - the biggest of its kind in the North West - have promised safety will be top priority because of the tragic death.

Five year-old Isobel Callaghan, was killed at an international military air show in Germany earlier this month.

The youngster became trapped in the moorings of a helium balloon and was swept away.

A cable had broken free during a storm and wrapped itself around her arm carrying her 40 miles to her death.

The Burnley festival will be held in Towneley Park during the weekend of July 26 and 27 with everything from children's activities to craft stalls, a fun fair and exhibitions, along with a wide variety of brightly coloured balloons lining the route between Towneley Hall and the main gates.

Last year's event, the first of its kind in the town, attracted 40,000 visitors during the summer Bank Holiday and was staged to jointly celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee, the centenary of the opening of Towneley Park to the public and the opening of a new wing at Towneley Hall.

Paul Howard, events co-ordinator for Initiative Burnley, said: "We have got 15 balloons this year which is a vast improvement on last year's total of eight.

"Safety will be a top priority this year as it always is at these events.

"The balloons will be fully fenced off from the public. Some people will be able to have a ride on the balloons which will be fully supervised."

Initiative Burnley, a not-for-profit organisation which has organised the festival, is hoping that this year's event will be even bigger and better with an expected crowd of 50,000 people.

On Saturday at 9.30pm, people will be able to see the highlight of the event, the nightglow.

This involves the hot air balloons firing up their burners in a synchronised formation to inflate the balloons. Once they are inflated they will continue to light up to a choreographed piece of music which will be accompanied by a spectacular firework display in the grounds of the stately home.