WHETHER you danced on ice like a celebrity skater or scrambled around like Bambi, more people than ever enjoyed Hillingdon Council's ice rink this year.

A total of 18,484 people took to the ice, compared to 14,611 last year - an increase of 27 per cent. The previous year 11,180 visited the rink.

The rink, which was on the Civic Centre forecourt in Uxbridge, this year boasted a new canopy and meant that, whatever the weather, people of all ages and abilities could have a go over the festive period.

Borough resident Matt Wilkins won a free family skating session online via the council's Twitter account.

He said: "It was brilliant. The whole family had a really great time skating round."