Hot air balloons to take over the London skyline this Sunday

Up, up and away!

Hot air balloons over the London Skyline on 19 June 2016 (Getty Images)

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No… it’s hordes of hot air balloons scattered across the grey skies of the capital.

This weekend, 50 hot air balloons are going to take flight in London as part of the Ricoh Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta, an annual celebration in aid of the Lord Mayor’s Appeal.

This year’s extravaganza is going to start in Battersea Park.

Hot air balloons over the London skyline on 19 June 2016 (Getty Images)

Once the event has begun, the hot air balloons will then venture over several famous London landmarks including Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye and the Tower of London.

The regatta was originally due to take place in June and July.

However, due to adverse weather conditions, it was postponed until Sunday 25 November and Sunday 2 December.

The regatta is part of the Lord Mayor’s Show, an annual event that’s taken place in the capital since the 16th Century.

It raises awareness of the Lord Mayor's Appeal, which provides support for initiatives including Power of Diversity, This is Me, She Can Be and City Giving Day.

Sunday's event has been organised by Exclusive Ballooning, a leading aerial marketing specialist.

Hot air balloons over the London skyline on 19 June 2016 (Getty Images)

Over the past three years, the regatta has raised more than £175,000 for charity.

"The Lord Mayor's Balloon Regatta has established itself as one of the City of London's key cultural highlights," says Lord Mayor of London Peter Estlin.

"It is a fantastic celebration of the city's charity, community and commerce working together, which is what the city - and the lord mayor - is all about."

The official Lord Mayor's Appeal hot air balloon will lead the aerial launch, carrying the lord mayor and lord mayoress of London, with the event taking place at around 7.30am.