CHILDREN have been invited to try out their skills on a new portable ice rink these summer holidays.

The rink measuring 20ft by 30ft is manufactured from high density plastic and will be touring five Sunderland leisure centres as part of this year's Summer Survival Programme.

The sessions are targeted at all abilities from first-time skaters to those wanting to polish up existing skills.

Ice skates will be provided and leisure centre staff will be on hand to supervise.

The rink can accommodate up to 18 children at one time.

Ice Centre manager Su-Wan Yip said: "The idea for a portable ice rink originally came about during a marketing brainstorming session.

"It was initially bought to be taken to schools as part of the city's Outreach Programme.

"However, due to the unavoidable closure of the Ice Centre, we decided to give it a trial run as part of the Summer Survival Programme."

She added: "Ice skating has always been popular with children over the holidays, and the plastic rink is proving to be a big success with skaters of all abilities."

The Ice Centre's new portable plastic rink will be visiting five centres each week during the holidays. Sessions (maximum of one hour) cost £1.

The rink will be at: Houghton Sports Centre on Mondays from noon to 4pm; Washington Leisure Centre on Tuesdays (10am to 3pm); Crowtree Leisure Centre on Wednesdays (10am to 4pm); Hetton Sports Complex on Thursdays (10am to 4pm) and Seaburn Centre on Fridays (11am to 3pm). For details, ring 0191-5293958