THE British pioneer of stunt kite flying has been invited to the fifth Malmesbury Kite Festival next month.

Peter Powell became internationally famous in the early 1970s after inventing a steerable dual-line stunt kite that made its first television appearance on children’s show Blue Peter.

It caused a kite craze in 1975 when it featured on magazine show Nationwide and it even appeared on the Today programme in America.

Production of his kite ended 16 years ago but now his sons Mark and Paul have launched it again and have opened their first store in Cheltenham.

Festival organiser Jon Caton said the brothers were bringing a stand to the event on August 2 and 3 and he hoped their father would be able to be there too.

This year’s event at the Worthys also features a return visit by the Team Sky fliers from Holland, who appeared at the first festival.

A new science and engineering element has also been added to the programme with a challenge to parachute an egg to the ground without breaking it.

Stunt kite displays, kite fighting and an altitude race are all back, along with the popular teddy bear parachute contest.

“It is a good family day out,” said Mr Caton.

Admission is free and parking costs £2. The gates are open at 10am on both days.