Freezing conditions are forecast to grip the centre of Middlesbrough this winter

The town's Victoria Gardens are set to disappear under 80 tonnes of ice as it recreates an old-fashioned Christmas.

The new mini ice age will run from November 20 until January 7 - the length of time the flower beds and lawns will be transformed into an outdoor ice rink, open seven days a week.

To reinforce the festive atmosphere the gardens will be hung with 24,000 glittering tree lights and decorations such as spinning snowflakes, fireflies and star chandeliers.

There will be family skating sessions, beginners' nights, parents and toddlers' mornings, lunch hour sessions for office workers and afternoons for the over 50s.

There will also be sledge hockey for the disabled, curling, ice hockey and ice dancing.

Town Centre manager Barbara Wren said: "Middlesbrough has a lot to shout about this year.

"We're hosting our very own open air ice rink in Victoria Gardens, just like those seen in New York, Paris and Vienna and we're expecting visitors from far and wide,'' she claimed. "We've also got our reindeer parade, a Victorian Christmas fair and one or two surprises in store. Middlesbrough really is the place to shop this year.''

Councillor Chris Robson, of Middlesbrough council, said: "We want to see the whole of Middlesbrough on ice. This is the first ever outdoor rink in this region and we want as many people as possible to come along and have a go.''

The rink is being financed by Middlesbrough council, 96.6 TFM and Magic 1170 with the Cleveland Shopping Centre