CONTROVERSIAL plans to erect another synthetic skating rink in Bolton have been put on ice -- in favour of a six-metre high "snow" tobogganing slope.

Festive shoppers will be able to pay £2 for three slides down the synthetic snow tube on special rubber rings.

The tube, costing thousands of pounds from Birmingham-based leisure company Alpine Attractions, will replace plans to repeat last year's synthetic ice skating rink.

It will be erected in Victoria Square and run for a month from November 30, and organisers Bolton Town Centre Company hope the synthetic slope will be a big hit with shoppers and help attract more trade to the town.

Businesses are being asked to provide sponsorship and the attraction will be advertised on local radio and TV under the company's Christmas promotions.

A Town Centre Company spokesman said: "Manchester City Council did a similar thing a couple of years ago and it proved very successful.

"We have had a lot of complaints about last year's ice rink, saying that it was not aesthetically pleasing, but this should be.

"It will bring people into Bolton and hopefully provide a boost to shops around the town centre. There will not be an ice rink this year -- the shoot will replace it and we have been getting very positive feedback from it.

"Last year we surveyed people as they came off the ice rink and 55 per cent of them were not even from Bolton. It is an ideal place as it is an area that people always flock to.

"We don't want to be disrespectful to the war memorial, but this is the ideal place. It should be brilliant and we are hoping lots of people enjoy it."

The slope is expected to be the size of a marquee with an entrance point next to the town hall. All money made will go straight back into promoting Bolton town centre and its shops.

Wintry

The slope will be open from 10am to 7pm. Artificial snow will be used to create a wintry effect and crowd barriers will be erected to manage the expected crowds.

The attraction will also include festive trees and lighting. Security will be tight and stewards will patrol the artificial slope.

The attraction will be about 30 metres long and 10 metres wide.

Town Centre Company bosses will meet health and safety chiefs at the site on Thursday for final checks.

If you can help sponsor the attraction, contact the Town Centre Company on 01204 523762. The spokesman added: "We are fully aware of the fact that people might try to get on it at night, but it will be fully secure. We have also tried to design it as festively and prettily as possible."