BOLTON shoppers can look forward to becoming budding Torvill and Deans on an ice rink in Victoria Square this Christmas.

The Town Centre Company has applied for planning permission to transform the square in front of the town hall into a Winter Wonderland in a bid to attract shoppers from all around Lancashire.

It is hoped the "Icecapades'' initiative will run between the end of November and January 4, 2001, and would include a purpose-built ice rink.

The company plans to open the rink, which will be under cover, between 10am and 9pm every day, with daring shoppers allowed to get their skates on for one hour sessions.

Around 150 people at a time will be able to show-off their skating skills and a company will be contracted to hire out ice skates.

Organisers say they could put on some professional shows and there could be themed nights at weekends like a jazz night, a disco or rock 'n' roll events.

The company is busy selling advertising space to Bolton businesses and shops at the moment and local schools have been contacted to offer pupils discounted skating rates.

Christmas ice rinks have proved hugely successful in large cities all over the country, but this is thought to be the first such venture in a Lancashire town.

Town centre manager Karen Wheeldon said: "We're hoping it will be a success and bring plenty of shoppers into Bolton.

"The ice rink should look really good and add a Christmas feel."

It would be open from 10am to 9.30pm and there could also be a cafe bar serving light refreshments.

Councillors will make a decision on whether it will be granted planning permission in the next few weeks.