SPECIAL measures will be taken to protect a Torquay seafront park when a Christmas ice rink returns later this month.

The rink will be part of Torbay Council’s Bay of Lights festive celebration which is due to open this year with a fireworks display on November 28.

The ice rink is due to open the same night and will be operating until January 3.

Last year 1.7 million people walked the Bay of Lights Trail along Torquay’s waterfront and 17,300 ice rink tickets were sold. The rink, which was brought in for the first time last year, was sold out for the last 17 days it was open and had a waiting list of eager skaters.

The council has now submitted its own planning application for the temporary rink which, it says, has been carefully designed to respect the historic setting of Abbey Park and nearby heritage assets while delivering significant economic, social and cultural benefits to Torbay.

The temporary marquee will contain the rink, skate hire, changing and viewing facilities. Its programme includes quiet skating sessions for users with special needs and disabilities.

The application says: “It forms one of the principal attractions within the Bay of Lights programme, extending Torbay’s visitor season and supporting the local tourism economy during the winter period.”

The site will be reinstated back to its existing condition once the rink has gone in the New Year. Raised floors and special matting will be used to protect the grass under the rink.

Up to 120 skaters can use the rink at a time in hourly sessions.

The Illumination Trail stretches for a mile and half along the waterfront and features 19 illuminated installations and 11 additional light displays.

New this year will be interactive smoke bubbles in the Rainbow Maze at Abbey Gardens and an immersive sound and light experience at the Banjo.

The Torre Abbey Christmas Market and ‘Winter Fest’ will boast a selection of local artisan makers and craft stalls inside the Spanish Barn, with traders, street food, and refreshments outside.