Safe skating message as rinks open

Safety stewards in yellow jackets help skaters in Cardiff

Thousands of skaters planning to visit the seasonal outdoor ice rinks at Cardiff and Wrexham have been assured safety is a top priority.

Wrexham has become the latest place in Wales to create an outdoor rink for the festive season and was officially opened on Saturday.

It is the third time Cardiff has held its Winter Wonderland event, with an outdoor rink as its centrepiece.

Last year more than 40,000 people took to the ice - and 18 of those were transported to hospital by ambulance after injuring themselves.

The previous year, 50 people went to hospital, and Cardiff Council, which organises the event said compared with other outdoor rinks, the safety record was very good.

A spokeswoman said everyone arriving at the rink was given a safety booklet to read.

Last year in Cardiff 18 skaters were taken to hospital

"On the ice, there are four patrolling ice stewards, skating around showing people how to skate; generally helping people and monitoring the rink safety," she added.

Both Cardiff and Wrexham also have people qualified in first aid on duty at the rinks.

A spokesman for Wrexham council said he thought most injuries would be dealt with on site.

"I imagine the majority of injuries will be minor ones - sprained wrists and twisted ankles," he said.

"They (the first-aiders) are going to be proficient at picking people up and dealing with their injuries," he added.

The rink in Wrexham opened at 1400GMT on Saturday 29 November; while the Cardiff rink opened to the public on Thursday.