A STUDENT who won a competition to take her whole class ice skating in Weymouth had a whirl and a twirl of a time on the rink on the weekend.

Eleven-year-old Erin Hill from Weymouth won a competition run by Weymouth’s BIG Christmas gold sponsor, Dorset Lettings and the Dorset Echo.

The prize was an invitation to take an entire class of 30 children to skate on the rink on Saturday.

Erin, from class 6T from Radipole Primary School entered the competition with her grandma, and was excited to win the competition for her class.

Her mum, Mary Holmes, didn’t even know she had entered the competition.

Miss Holmes said: “She’s just been so excited. She’s really pleased she could do this for her friends and her class from school.”

Getting straight out onto the ice, the class had a lot of fun trying on the skates and gliding on the seals.

Erin said: “I feel very happy. I’m really looking forward to Christmas – happy Christmas everyone.”

Staff from Dorset Lettings were out on the streets offering mince pies and mulled wine to shoppers on Saturday.

Cheryl Vickers, branch manager for Dorset Lettings Weymouth, said: “Dorset Lettings are really pleased to be gold sponsors for Weymouth’s BIG Christmas and to see all the prize winners enjoy the ice skating session.”

The ice skating session was just one of the festive occasions in the town on Saturday.

Shoppers gathered around the main stage for a pop-up nativity by Refresh Church group – complete with a baby for Jesus and a real donkey.

Musicians entertained the crowds for the rest of the day singing on the stage.

Alex Burden, from Weymouth BID, said: “It’s really great to see such an enthusiastic bunch on the rink.

“They are really enjoying it and thank you to all our sponsors.”

Weymouth’s BIG Christmas festivities continue this week.

The ice rink in the centre of town near Debenhams is open until January 2 for budding Torvills and Deans to try out their skills.

Santa’s Grotto in Cineworld will be open for children to visit on Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week from 11am to 3.30pm.

Tickets cost £5 and include a present for good girls and boys.

Visitors to the town can park for free after 3pm each day in the town centre car parks.

For more information and tickets, visit weareweymouth.co.uk/christmas

CONTACT ME:

t: 01305 830987

e: jessica.rees

@dorsetecho.co.uk

twitter: @DorsetEchoJessR