Almost 1,000 people flocked through the doors of Cannock’s new £1million ice rink in its first three days. Bosses revealed 923 skaters went on the ice at Silver Blades Ice Rink, which opened on Friday.

Manager Olga Efremova said: “It was a great success and people seemed to think it was great.

“We were seeing some of the same faces on Saturday and Sunday so people are becoming regulars already.

“We had 153 people on the opening night and the total for the first three days was 923, which we are very pleased with.”

Workers battled frantically to get the facility, based in units at Lakeside Plaza off Walkmill Lane, ready in time for the opening.

Chairman of Cannock Chase Council, Councillor Keith Bennett, cut the ribbon at the opening and developer Fred Pritchard, who owns the building, was there to see how it had been transformed.

The rink features two linked areas to allow one for lessons while the other is open for general skating.

There is a DJ console and a programme of sessions has been carefully co-ordinated to ensure there is something for all tastes and abilities.

Prices for weekday skating will cost £3.50 plus a £1.50 charge for skate hire. Friday night disco skating costs £5 plus skate hire, as will weekend skate sessions.