IT was not just the temperatures soaring last weekend as kites of all shapes and sizes were seen shooting skyward at one of Basingstoke’s most popular annual events.

With some of Europe’s top flyers pulling strings at the Basingstoke Kite Festival at Down Grange, it was certainly a high-flying event in every sense.

Up to 9,000 people flocked to gaze at the strange shapes dancing and weaving in the air and to fly their own kites at the Gazette Newspapers-sponsored event.

Festival organiser Alan Cosgrove, from event organiser Loddon Valley Kite Flyers, said: “It has been brilliant, especially with the lovely and sunny weather, although the wind was better for flying on Sunday.

“As always, it has been a family-orientated, free event with plenty of things to do and loads of demonstrations.”

Now in its 18th year, the impressive free two-day extravaganza offered a range of spectacles, with the thrilling Rokkaku fighter kite competition among the highlights.

This fascinating display of skill saw flyers pitted against each other in tense combat, using Japanese fighting kites fitted with blades. Opponents battled to cut their opponents’ lines or knock them down to earth.

Kite-making workshops were available, and again popular, for those wanting a piece of the action.

One of those testing his hand-built effort was rookie kite flyer Charlie Dillow. The eight-year-old Four Lanes Community Junior School pupil, of Winchester Road, Basingstoke, made his own and managed to fly it. He said: “It has been fun to make them.”

Among the professional flyers was Kelvin Woods, from Whitby, in North Yorkshire. The 45-year-old quality assurance manager for Corus steel makers said his passion for kites took off eight years ago after he bought a simple kite for his son.

Now he is making and flying his own Edo kites, a traditional Japanese oblong kite bearing decoration.

These included the irrepressible Muhammad Ali, Blondie’s Deborah Harry and brooding singer Johnny Cash.

Mr Woods said: “Kites bring great psychological benefits because once you are flying, harnessing the energy of the wind, you forget your day’s troubles.”

The winners of this year’s Design-a-Kite competition, based on a theme of favourite films, were also presented with their prizes.

Megan Patton, seven, of Bounty Rise, Basingstoke, won the key stage one category with her design of a house and balloons based on the Disney film Up. Key stage two winner was Jessica Poulton, eight, of Tang Way, Chineham, who impressed with her penguin design inspired by Happy Feet. Both winners received their prizes from borough mayor Councillor Keith Chapman.