A group of ice skaters, forced to travel 160 miles to train after the closure of Norwich's only rink three years ago, have told of their excitement over plans for a festive attraction in the heart of the city.

The Eastern Daily Press and its sister newspaper the Norwich Evening News will be bringing a magical ice rink to the Castle Mall gardens next month.

After the ice rink on the old Norwich Sports Village site, next to the Asda supermarket in Drayton High Road, was shut down in 2012, Norwich Figure Skaters were forced to travel to Peterborough to practise.

The group of 50 skaters, many who have competed nationally, were left heartbroken by the prospect of not being able to perform in their home city.

Now this newspaper has invited them to take to the ice in Norwich once more for the launch day.

The group of 15 to 20 skaters will work their magic over Norwich Ice Rink on December 6 to showcase their skills and get everyone into the festive spirit.

Norwich Figure Skaters' organiser Coralie Steadman, 19, of The Street in Brundall, said: 'It was a huge blow when the ice rink closed a few years ago. We started up a campaign – SOS Norwich Ice Rink – to try to get people to sign a petition to get it back. But after six months we all lost hope and 50 of us started travelling to Peterborough. It's a 160-mile round trip though and now only a few of us go. Having the ice rink back in Norwich is really exciting. It will mean we will have the opportunity to train without having to get up at a ridiculous time in the morning to travel all that way.

'All of us are so pleased to have the opportunity to take to the ice and show what we can do.'

The team will perform Christmas tracks and a hit song from Disney's Frozen from 12pm.