Smiles all round as families try pop-up ice skating rink in Portsmouth

People of all ages descended to Guildhall Square in Portsmouth for the attraction, which opened on Saturday.

Helped by penguin and seal-shaped supports, youngsters whizzed around the ice while others got around holding on to the barrier or to friends.

Kerry and Craig Goodwin took their two children Harry and Maddison. It was the first time the family from Stubbington had skated outside.

Harry, seven, said: ‘It has been fun. It was hard to do at first but it got a bit easier.’

Maddison, four, was using a penguin to help her.

She said: ‘I can do it by myself using the penguin.’

Kerry added: ‘It has been good and the kids loved it. I like that it has the animals for them to hold on to. It’s good for the city to have and it’s definitely put us in the festive mood.’

As well as the ice skating rink, organiser Ice Skate has put on the Moguls Alpine Bar selling hot chocolate, mulled wine and cocktails.

And Feed Hot Dog Co had a stand selling hotdogs to the skaters.

Cousins Katrina Saker and Kerry Fuery had a hot chocolate at Moguls before getting their skates on.

Katrina, who lives in Portsmouth, said: ‘We have loved it. We normally got to Winchester or Bournemouth to skate so it was great having it here in Portsmouth.

‘It’s great for kids and families and we visited the Moguls bar, skated and then had a hot dog so it has been a day out for us.’

Kerry, who was visiting Katrina from south Wales, added: ‘It feels so Christmassy and this is such a good location.’

The rink will be at Guildhall Square until January 2. It is open between 10.30am and 10.30pm.

Matt Cooper, project manager, said: ‘After five days of putting it together it is great to see the rink open and families having a good time. This is one my favourite locations.

‘The Guildhall is brilliant and it is a great place for it.’