A WINTER Wonderland will be coming to Ipswich town centre in the run-up to Christmas as the town's first-ever ice rink opens in December.The temporary rink is due to open on December 3 and will be open until January 8 giving a real traditional feel to the festive season in the town.

A WINTER Wonderland will be coming to Ipswich town centre in the run-up to Christmas as the town's first-ever ice rink opens in December.

The temporary rink is due to open on December 3 and will be open until January 8 giving a real traditional feel to the festive season in the town.

It will be 360 square metres and people will be able to take part in one-hour sessions on the real ice.

The rink will be set up in the Portman Road car par, opposite Ipswich Town's Cobbold Stand, and will be open from 10am to 10pm every day except Christmas Day.

The rink is being brought to town as joint venture between Ipswich council and leisure promoter Merlin - and will be marketed as the big “Chill Thrill.”

The 360 square metre rink has visited many towns and cities across the country - and is being installed in Ipswich at no cost to council taxpayers.

Council leisure spokeswoman Judy Terry had the initial idea to bring in the ice rink to the town and was delighted it had now all been organised.

She said: “We are really glad we have managed to get an ice rink which should add a new element to the Ipswich Christmas experience.

“We are also pleased to say this will have no effect on council tax payers - it is entirely self-financing. We hope thousands of people will be able to enjoy skating for the first time in Ipswich during the festive season.”

Skating will cost £6 an hour for adults and £4 for children - a family of two adults and two children will be able skate for an hour for £18. Tickets can be bought in advance from the Corn Exchange box office, or from the rink itself if there are any spaces available.