THEY may look beautiful in the frost - buts frozen ponds could be a killer, officials warned today.This week has seen ponds, lakes and even parts of the river Orwell frozen on the surface, giving the appearance of an ice rink.

THEY may look beautiful in the frost - buts frozen ponds could be a killer, officials warned today.

This week has seen ponds, lakes and even parts of the river Orwell frozen on the surface, giving the appearance of an ice rink.

But it is impossible to know how deep the hard surface is, and the ice could prove a death trap for people foolish enough to test its strength.

A spokesman for Ipswich Borough Council said: “The risk if you are on there is it is deadly - absolutely deadly.

“You can control ice rinks because you know there is a depth of ice but there is no depth gage on ponds, you can't tell until it is too late.

“We ask that park users do not take unnecessary risks, the last thing at all we want is any accidents. This can be a risky business, especially when the water starts to thaw.”

Park visitors had been sensible so far, but the spokesman warned of the risks of climbing onto the ice, whether in public parks or garden ponds.

He said: “In someone's back garden where the pond is a foot deep, you could put your foot on and it could hold you for a second, then break and you could fall, hit your head and drown anyway.

“The ultimate penalty for all of these things is death, so the warning has to be the same no matter if it is a pond in your back garden, a lake or any standing water.”

Anyone that sees someone attempting to step onto frozen park ponds is urged to tell a ranger immediately, or to telephone the rangers' office on 01473 433444.