It's official - an ice rink and other winter-themed rides and activities will be coming to Maidstone's Mote Park this Christmas.

We revealed back in March that early discussions had taken place between event bosses and the borough council over the prospect of a rink being introduced at the park.

Now it has been announced the County Town will play host to an Ice Park for two weeks over the festive period.

The park will feature a range of activities including a themed ice skating rink, ice slide, dodgems on ice, Santa’s grotto, a food village, fully licensed bars, fairground rides and much more.

The themed days for the ice rink range from popular princesses and favourite superheroes for the children, to Disco Stu’s '70s night for the adults.

There will also be tribute nights with local bands and live DJ performances.

The prospect has been mooted for some time, but hasn’t materialised, with skaters instead having to travel to other venues in Kings Hill, Gillingham or Tunbridge Wells.

A previous survey of 1,138 visitors to Mote Park found more than two-thirds of respondents would be very or fairly likely to use a seasonal ice rink.

The proposal received more positive feedback than the other ideas featured in the study, including crazy golf, high wires and segways.

An online petition calling for Maidstone to be given a rink was also launched back in 2014, with campaigners claiming the 11-mile journey to Medway “just seems too far and too much hassle for a few hours of skating”.

The attraction will be open from 9am every day from Saturday, December 21 to Sunday, January 5, and visitors can sign up for priority tickets at iceparkmaidstone.com.

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