By LEE MORAN

Record breakers: The magical moment a staggering 343 hot air balloons took to the air at the same time

It took a lot of hot air - and a little bit of patience - but 343 hot air balloonists have finally broken the world record for taking off at the same time.

The high-flyers' mass ascent at the 12th Lorraine World Air Balloon Festival, in Chambley-Bussieres, France, should have taken place on Monday.

But bad weather put paid to their plans, meaning they had to postpone their lift-off until today.


And they're off! The balloons came in all shapes and sizes and from across the globe for the world record breaking event


Luckily the elements held out and organisers of one of the largest balloon festivals in the world were left with huge smiles on their faces.

It comes two years after the festival set the previous record for largest mass ascent when 326 balloons took to the skies.

The event, attended by 14 countries, featured a number of Brits who had made the short hop over the Channel to take part.


Grounded: Hundreds of balloons stretch out as far as the eye can see moments before take off



source: dailymail