THEY slid, they bumped, they crashed and they glided - there wasn't any ice but youngsters in Burnley had a super slippery time yesterday!

A synthetic ice rink was set up on St James Street as part of a four day shopping festival and youngsters turned out in droves to try their hand at being the next Torvill and Dean.

Nicola Hartley, from Higham, and her three children Sophie. four, Christopher, seven and Ashley, 10, all had a go. Nicola held on to Sophie's hands as she helped her skate around the rink.

She said: "It is the first time we have ever tried ice skating and I would consider giving it a go and taking the children to a proper ice rink now." The event was organised by Lisa Durkin, Burnley's assistant town centre manager, who donned her skates and joined in the fun.

She said: "I can ice skate but this is actually quite hard because you haven't got the same grip that you get on ice.

"For a Bank Holiday Monday I have never seen the town as busy."

Lisa said she would be considering having the ice arena back at Christmas when perhaps it could be flood lit and people could skate to music.

In addition to the rink there was also a mini bowling alley from AMF Bowling, a bouncy castle, costume characters and a ball swamp.