A HOT air balloon and giant screens dotted through the town are just some of the new features coming to this year's Largs Viking Festival.

The biggest event of the year locally was cancelled in 2020, with a reduced offering for residents and visitors last summer.

However the hit festival is making a big comeback for 2022 - with some extra special additions to a packed programme.

Douglas Blair, one of the festival’s directors, says he is hoping that this year's will be the biggest ever.

He said: “Last year we managed to run an event that was quite restricted, but we still got a good turnout all things considered.

“The burning of the longship is back this year, as is the Viking torchlight procession on September 3 and the Festival of Fire, so it’s all shaping up to be a great festival.

“The Ferris wheel will be there too so all these things will work off each other and give visitors a mountain of things to do. It will be a real spectacle once more."

The ever-popular Viking Village and food fayre will return to the promenade, along with a spectacular air display on the second weekend.

Douglas says he also hopes the hot air balloon and live broadcasts of the re-enactments on large screens will prove a hit.

He explained: “The two big screens will be linked to cameras so that people who cannot directly see the events like the Viking re-enactment can watch them on the TVs.

“We will also have a hot air balloon that will light up as soon as it becomes twilight, and this will go alongside the traditional fireworks and Festival of Fire on May Street.

“The balloon will be tethered but it should still be a fantastic addition to an already full list of things on offer at the festival.”

Douglas hopes the festival can give local businesses a big boost after a hard two years.

He said: “We hope to have tens of thousands of people coming to Largs over the two weeks which should give businesses lots of sustained trade.

“People will book up places to stay and come from far away, then spend their money in the local shops and cafes."

Douglas added: “Discussions with the authorities have taken place over the past few months to ensure as safe event as far as practicable with Covid still circulating.

“As part of those discussions, we remind all that the flying of paragliders, drones and unmanned aircraft are strictly prohibited at identified times.”

The festival is also looking for volunteers and sponsorship from local businesses.

They can be contacted via their page on Facebook.