NEWPORT became a winter wonderland with the opening of the city's first Christmas skating rink yesterday.

The artificial rink was set up in, where else, John Frost Square yesterday afternoon.

Organisers are expecting hundreds of shoppers to use it over the weekend.

City mayor Bob Poole and his wife Ronnie were the first to try out the rink. He said: "It was good fun, and I managed to stay on my feet! It's certainly a new venture for Newport. Hopefully it's going to bring shoppers in to the city centre, and it will be a lot of fun for people as well."

The rink, which cost £10,000 plus VAT to hire, will be open until Sunday. Malcolm Hall, city centre manager, said the rink would be good for business in Newport.

"It will bring a bit of life into the city centre," he said, "As well as all the new Christmas lights and the French Market we had recently, this is giving the shops and shoppers and bit of a boost before Christmas."

And if the rink proves to be a success, it may become a permanent feature of Newport's Christmas celebrations.

Mr Poole said: "We would definitely have it back again, but next year we may be in the middle of redevelopment, so I don't know where we would be able to put it. If it is successful and people enjoy it, I would like to get a real one, like Cardiff."

The rink is open every day until Sunday, and costs £3.50 for adults and £2.50 for children for a 20-minute skate.

* In the picture: Trying out the rink are, from left, Zoe Witchard, 15, Sam Rowlands, 14, and Ashley Sergeant, also 14.