LITERARY characters are being recreated in ice as part of an exciting winter festival for families.

Nine installations will make up the Fire and Ice Festival in Durham, which were unveiled in the city on Friday.

Visitors can look out for Paddington Bear, Gandalf and the Gruffalo as well as The Tin Man and Mr Earthworm from Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach.

The event is organised by Durham’s Business Improvement District and they can be seen on Friday and Saturday, February 16 and 17, between 10am and 4pm, before finales at 5pm and 6pm.

The ice-carving displays have been created by Glacial Arts, which worked on TV show Games of Thrones and people can also have a go themselves.

Promoter Scott Hillary, of AH Events, said: “This year’s festival is set to be bigger and better than ever before.

“It’s going to be visually spectacular. Some of the ice carvings take your breath away.”