THE ROYAL Pavilion ice rink is preparing to open for its tenth year.

To celebrate the anniversary there will be a skate-a-thon at the Brighton attraction to raise funds for Sussex Wildlife Trust on November 1.

Sponsored skaters will try to complete up to 15 km on the ice.

The charity event will take place the day before the rink opens to the general public on November 2.

All abilities, from beginners to advanced, are welcome and individuals or relay teams of up to ten skaters can sign up for either the 5,000-metre half skate-a-thon, equivalent to 50 circuits of the rink, or the 15,000-metre full skate-a-thon, equivalent to 150 circuits.

Funds raised will support Sussex Wildlife Trust’s Sussex Flow project to help plant thousands of trees in and around floodplains, slowing the flow of water and reducing the chance of flooding and creating new habitats for wildlife such as dragonflies and bats.

Shella Parkin, of Laine Ltd, which creates and operates the ice rink, said, “This year we are increasing our efforts to protect the environment.”

Skate-a-thon participants must be aged eight or over and raise a minimum of £100.

Register at www.royalpavilionicerink.co.uk.