BOURNEMOUTH’S indoor winter ice rink is the latest addition to the town’s festive attractions.

The Cool Coast Ice Rink in the BIC’s Purbeck Hall includes a ‘snow’ machine and small children’s area and is larger than the rink in the Lower Gardens. It holds a maximum of 250 people at a time and will remain until February 23.

Councillor Rod Cooper, the mayor of Bournemouth, said the decorations help the rink look “beautiful”.

He said: “The two rinks are totally different.

“This is bigger and it’s all weather.”

Pat Coyne, the BIC’s director of venues, said: “It’s absolutely fantastic.

This is the sixth year that the BIC has hosted a rink and both of the town’s rinks expect to perform well after reporting good numbers last year. The BIC rink also includes the skating penguins to help youngsters keep their balance.

Alice Tai, 14, who is hoping to compete in the 2016 Paralympics, was among those trying the ice.

The Bournemouth Collegiate School pupil, who lives in New Milton, said: “It’s fun but I’m not very good at it.

“I keep falling over and have to grab onto the side but it is really good fun.”

Tickets to skate are £7.50, including the skate hire.

Standard sessions are 90 minutes, running between 4pm and 8.45pm during term times and 11am and 8.45pm in the school holidays, with a later added session on Saturdays.

Family tickets and group concessions also available and the minimum age to skate is four.