THE DATES have been confirmed for this year's Skate Southampton ice rink 2019.

It has been confirmed the winter attraction will be open between November 9 2019 and January 5 2020.

It will be the third year the ice rink has returned following a successful debut in 2017.

The rink will close earlier than usual this year, with the last session being at 9:30pm.

The first session will be 11:30am and will then be 10:30am when schools break up for Christmas.

The bar will also return this year, this will be open from 10:30am to 11pm on all days.

Skate Southampton unveiled plans last year to make it bigger than the previous year.

In 2019 there will be other activities, as well as the skating, but Skate Southampton are yet to confirm the details.

Further details of the rink should be announced next week.

It will be set up in The Esplanade in West Quay, Southampton.

The venue attracted 30,000 skaters between November and January in 2017.

Councillor Satvir Kaur welcomed the ice rink last year, and said: "Southampton is the place to be for Christmas time, with lots going on and and I’m really pleased the ice rink will be an ongoing fixture during the festive period.

"I hope it will be used by people from both inside and outside the city."