An aerial ballet of colourful shapes dominated the skies over Margate main sands as the Big Sky international kite festival became a soaraway success.

The second annual event attracted around 20,000 spectators and participants who enjoyed a balmy weekend of near-perfect late summer weather.

Harking back to gentler days of simple pleasures, children darted across the sands and on clifftops launching their own creations which were among the 1,500 made at free workshops.

Magnificent inflatables and kites included cats and dogs, a panda and octopus, hawk with a 60ft wingspan, dragons and devils, jesters and flowers formed a moving mosaic orchestrated by enthusiasts and invited kite fliers from around the world.

The event was organised by Margate Town Partnership and the Kite Club of Great Britain, with support from Thanet council - and the organisers have already pledged to another weekend of sky-high entertainment on the third weekend of September 2009.

MTP co-ordinater Dave Kinnear said: “It was a great family weekend and a splendid event, blessed by lovely sunny days and just enough air to take the kites and inflatables into the sky.

“After the miserable summer months, at least our traders can have some cheer from the thousands of people brought into the town. Almost all of the caterers involved are from the east Kent area as we pledged to keep it a truly local event.”

Highlights included performances from Pedro and Esteban Gonzales from Spain; world renowned kite maker Peter Lynn from New Zealand; the three man kite team,The Crazy Drivers from France; Jos Valcke from Belgium ; the UK’s Avon Kite Fliers; Team Spectrum; Close Encounters; Les ailes du desire stunt experts from France; The Air Heads; and a team from Thailand.