HUDDERSFIELD'S outdoor ice rink will stay for an extra week.

Skaters have flocked to the new attraction at the Piazza, with more than 10,000 people taking to the ice.

Three groups will be providing live entertainment this weekend as an added attraction.

Clr Ken Sims, the Cabinet member for regeneration, said: "The ice rink has been a huge success. The nearest indoor facility is in Bradford so many Kirklees residents have had the opportunity to go ice skating for the very first time.

"They look to be having a lot of fun and the ice rink provides an attractive Christmas spectacle and interesting entertainment for passers-by."

The rink was to shut on Christmas Eve but it will now reopen on Boxing Day and run up until and including New Year's Day.

The ice rink is open every day from 11am with skating on the hour for an hour. The last daily session is 7-8pm.

Live entertainment is planned at the rink on Friday (funk rock from Pinstripe, starts 6pm), Saturday (alt-pop from instant Species starts 5pm) and Sunday (Afro-Latin from Swing of Things, starts 5pm).

Clr Sims, the council's deputy leader, said: "We had no idea if this would take off.

"But it has, and it has been a fantastic attraction."