Skaters flocked to Oxford's Port Meadow to make the most of a natural three-mile long ice rink.

A combination of still nights and freezing temperatures have transformed the Thames flood plain into a thick sheet of ice, offering perfect skating conditions.

Mary Meagher, a member of the Oxford Ice Rink Supporters Group, said: "It's safe to skate on Port Meadow, provided you approach it from Aristotle Lane or Walton Well Road on the east of the river.

"The ice is at least two inches thick and is terrific for skating."

Mrs Meagher said the exceptional skating conditions did not occur every year and might only last about a week.

She said: "If it freezes over when there's a rough wind or a snowfall, you end up with a pebble-dash surface, which is no good for skating.

"There were about 100 people of all ages when I was there yesterday morning."

According to Mrs Meagher, who helped set up Oxford Ice Rink in Oxpens, many of the people enjoying outdoor skating yesterday learned their skills at the city's ice rink, which Oxford City Council is threatening a temporary closure to save money. The rink is in need of repair and is estimated to be losing £400,000 a year.

Mrs Meagher said: "Closing the rink would be unwise because a lot of skaters could lose their skills."

A spokesman for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said: "Our warning generally is to stay off frozen lakes, ponds, rivers and streams because people never know how thick the ice is and it is very easy to go through it.

"The problem with skating on meadows is that there may be deeper areas and it could be extremely dangerous if a small child fell through."