Sandringham skating

Sep 27, 2006, 14:55 GMT

Britain's Queen Elizabeth is opening an ice rink for visitors to her Sandringham Estate.

For the first time in more than 100 years there will be skating on the Norfolk estate, but rather than allow the public to skate on the frozen lake, a purpose-built rink will be built.

The open-air rink will be launched on December 4 and remain open to the public for five weeks.

The 200-square-metre rink, situated in the visitor centre, will be surrounded by Christmas trees, fairy lights and festive decorations.

Sandringham's public enterprises manager Helen Walch said: "We are all very excited about the ice rink. It's something I've been hoping to do for a long time and I'm delighted that we are able to introduce it this year.

"The feeling seems to be that a rink will really bring a buzz of activity and atmosphere to the country park in winter and people are looking forward to it."

Walch said she did not know if any royal family members planned to use the rink during their Christmas break at Sandringham.

She added: "Skating took place years ago on the lake in front of Sandringham House. We have a drawing on display of the Prince of Wales on the lake in the 1870s before he became Kind Edward VII."

(C) BANG Media International