FAMILY-friendly Blackpool will be keeping its cool when a new state of the art ice rink skates into town next month.

The Ice Arena is an outdoor rink and will attract budding skaters from all over the North-west to the Pleasure Beach during the festive season.

It will be the only purpose built rink in the UK.

Gill Mathison, of the Pleasure Beach, said the rink would further enhance the resort's image as a major tourist attraction for all ages.

The attraction also forms part of the local authority's "Masterplan" -- a regeneration scheme to spruce up the gateway into Blackpool at the South Shore area of the promenade.

This package includes the opening of the Big Blue Hotel and the promise of resort casinos to up the stakes in its bid to become the Las Vegas of the North.

The Ice Arena, along with Pleasure Beach, will be open on Saturdays and Sundays from November 13 until December 12.

Admission is £5 for adults and £3.50 for children under 12. The price includes skate hire.