Ellesmere to get Christmas outdoor ice rink - but for one day only

An ice rink is to add a touch of festive sparkle to a Shropshire town this Christmas. Ellesmere Chamber of Commerce has secured £2,000 sp-onsorship from Tesco to bring an outdoor rink to the town's wharf on November 26.

Lincoln McMullan, chamber chairman, said the money would help schoolchildren to use the rink free of charge in the day, while others could pay to use it later on.

He added he was grateful to the supermarket for its support in making the event possible.

He said: "It's all about putting Ellesmere on the map and attracting people to the town and its shops.

"The rink will be 10m by 10m so it can hold about 30 people at once, which means there should be hundreds of people exploring the town shops and enjoying the atmosphere.

"We didn't really want to reveal the details until a bit closer to the time but the information has been leaked so I can confirm the rink is happening. The winter festival is an important event for the town."

The ice rink is set to form the centrepiece of the town's winter festival, he added.

There will also be donkey rides, late-night shopping, a snow machine and a visit from Father Christmas on the canal. Mr McMullan added the festival would also see the town's Christmas lights switched on.

The rink will be on the town square, between the Tesco store on Canal Way and Ellesmere Wharf.

Pupils from a number of schools will be able to use it during the day, before it is opened up to the paying public in the evening.