A DECISION will be made soon whether to install another ice-rink in Spennymoor this year.

Sedgefield Borough Council said the ice-rink and German market, set up in the town centre for four weeks over Christmas, attracted 4,190 skaters and boosted trade.

Head of leisure services Phil Ball said the council would eventually like to see similar entertainment in the town throughout the year and would soon be deciding what to stage next Christmas.

He said: "A decision has to be taken fairly soon - I would suggest certainly by the end of April - as to whether we're going to repeat the exercise at the end of the year."

He said generally the council was pleased with the project, but there was a poor take-up of stalls and the project cost the council more than it intended at £28,900.

Opposition councillor for Spennymoor Ben Ord said he would like to have seen money spent on something more permanent for the town centre, or ploughed into existing grants to improve shop fronts in the town.

He said: "The total cost climbed to £53,329, which was much higher than anticipated. Some people in Spennymoor welcomed the market, but I think there should have been more consultation on it."