IT’S beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Families enjoyed hours of festive fun as the Bolton Winter Festival got underway over the weekend.

Visitors to the town centre found a range of seasonal activities on offer, from skating on a special ice rink in Victoria Square to visiting Santa’s grotto nearby.

And while the rain put the snow slide out of action for part of the weekend, it didn’t stop children of all ages enjoying the winter wonderland created in the heart of the town.

Sarah Collier visited the ice rink with wife, Lucy, and children Alissa, aged eight, and 11-year-old Tyler.

Mrs Collier said: “It’s really good and it’s cheap as well. It’s our first time ice skating, we’re excited about trying it out and have heard good reviews about it.”

Joe Galloway, from Radcliffe, said his family always looked forward to the festival.

He said: “We’ve come every year since it opened , it’s Christmas-y, the kids love it, it’s different.”

Daughter Nevaeh, aged six, said: “I like going on the ice it’s good fun and I like pushing the snowman around.”

And 10-year-old Sienna Olive, added: “It’s fun to try and learn how to ice sake, I think I’m getting better at it.”