FAMILIES got their skates on as they took to the ice at the opening of Bicester’s Christmas rink.

Skaters flocked to Bicester Avenue Garden Centre, in Oxford Road, to join the magical festivities for the first time this year.

David Tyrrell visited the newly-opened ice rink with wife Lisa and their children William, 12, and Lucy, nine, on Saturday.

The 43-year-old, from Bicester, said: “We enjoyed it. It was great fun.

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“When Christmas comes around we like to do things together to get us in the Christmas spirit and this was fun and icy.

“It was the first time I have skated in a long time.

“It took me a little while to get my balance again but I was amazed at how quickly my kids got the hang of it.

“We played ‘tig’ on the ice and that really livened things up for them; they were screaming in delight as I chased them on the ice – until they fell over.”

His son William, a Bicester Community School pupil, added: “I enjoyed it because it was good fun being able to have freedom and do what you wanted to do.

“We could be together and play games together and it was nice to have some family time there.”

Visitors will have the chance to test their skating skills in the indoor ice rink until Sunday, January 4.

Skating aids will be available to youngsters feeling a bit unsteady on the slippery surface.


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