CHRISTMAS might be on its way to Bournemouth, but the decidedly autumnal weather made things a bit tricky yesterday as the ice rink in the gardens was being set up.

The rink, which is due to open on November 28, has become the centrepiece of Bournemouth town centre’s Christmas fun and is currently being put in place.

But yesterday one of the vehicles being used to install it sank into the sodden grass in the gardens.

Workers had done their best to keep on track by putting down weight-spreading boards on the grass, but a wheel of the machinery slipped off and dug into the mud, sinking up to its axle.

Yesterday afternoon work was being carried out to rescue the stuck vehicle and to repair damage to the ground.

The vehicle, which was still stuck in place this morning, was removed by a mini-digger.

The ice rink is due to be in place until January 4.