IT was more April showers than a winter wonderland as Bolton's winter festival was officially unveiled.

But heavy downpours did not dampen the festive spirit as the ice rink was opened by the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Carole Swarbrick.

Despite the rain, two hardy young professional skaters, 15-year-old Harriet Beatson and 18-year-old Sofia Tymchyshyn, performed impressive skating routines on the newly-opened rink.

The wet weather did not put off punters from having a go on the new super-sized rink, but fewer shoppers than hoped watched on as they aimed to keep dry.

The rink opened at 1pm on Saturday but had to be closed by about 3pm because of the heavy rain.

Guests were also invited for refreshments into the one of the two large teepees, which dominate Victoria Square.

The festive spirit was spread across the town centre, with donkey rides and a special Santa Express train running through the streets.

Declaring the winter festival open, the Mayor said: "It is great that so many have come and braved it despite the wet weather.

"We have a wonderful array of events throughout December in order to keep us entertained and happy in the run-up to Christmas.

"We need to spread the word that Bolton is a great place for families to have fun and enjoy themselves this Christmas."

This year's winter festival is designed to take the success of the Bolton Food and Drink Festival with a festive twist, to bring visitors and trade to the town centre over the Christmas period.

The ice rink is now open to the public and, throughout the festival which runs until January 3, the teepees will host a bar, food and music from local bands, musicians, and street entertainers.

Food festival favourites Simon Wood, the winner of this year's Masterchef, former Masterchef finalist Jackie Kearney, Great British Bake Off finalist Luis Troyano and Manchester chef Robert Owen Brown will also give cookery demonstrations during December.

There will also be a Christmas artisan market featuring 25 traders selling a range of produce on Deansgate, from December 1 to December 6, as well as the obligatory Santa's Grotto in Oxford Street, which is open until December 21.

Keith Davies, director of development and regeneration at Bolton Council, said: "Whatever the weather, we have activities to suit and the fact that we have still got so many people here shows that people want to see what is going on.

"We have got a successful formula with the Food and Drink Festival, so we wanted to bring some of that to attract people into the town centre."

Nikki Wilson-Cook, centre manager of the Market Place Shopping Centre, which is sponsoring the ice rink, added: "It is a great event for families and children to come and experience something different, which is a bit of fun."

For more information about the festival, go to visitbolton.com/winterfestival