BABY it's cold in here! Bolton's Winter Festival ice rink opened it's door's yesterday and budding skaters were keen to get out on the ice.

Always a family favourite organisers Ice Aid are expecting another bumper year of visitors.

Tony Boynton, managing director of Ice Aid, said: "This is our seventh year here in Bolton and it's a fantastic place. The people here are so friendly and the families just have a great time.

"We are expecting to have upwards of 30,000 people at the rink over the Christmas period and it's fantastic what's going on at the Winter Festival.

"It brings so many people into the town centre and gives people something to do. Town centres are dying and doing something like this brings people back."

Among the super skaters on the ice was nine-year-old Leon Hazelwood, from Bradshaw, who was visiting Bolton's Winter Festival with mum Louise.

Ms Hazelwood said: "Leon comes every year and he absolutely loves skating.

"He really he enjoys his time on the ice and we will definitely be coming again before Christmas.

"All the things going on in Bolton really makes it Christmassy and help get everyone excited."

Also enjoying the ice was Ciara Chesworth who was celebrating her 10th birthday with friends.

Her mum, Elaine Chesworth, said: "Today is Ciara's birthday and we have come skating here the last few years and loved so they wanted to come back.

"There's a lovely community feeling to the events going on in Bolton and they help get everyone into the festive mood."