Oxford Ice Rink has been forced to close sooner than expected following the discovery of problems at its refrigeration plant.

The 18-year-old attraction was due to close in two weeks' time for a major overhaul involving £15,000 worth of repairs.

But after the failure of refrigeration components, Oxford City Council says it is impossible to continue the service.

The council's head of leisure, Jon Bolton, said: "Because we have been forced to close the rink as a result of this fault, we intend to bring forward the major overhaul we had planned.

"We apologise to all our customers for this closure.

"After consulting our maintenance contractors and the council's health and safety advisor, we have been left with no choice but to close the rink.

"We are now hoping that we may be able to open the rink by Saturday, June 16, a week earlier than previously scheduled."

During the overhaul, the ice will be lifted and the pad repainted, together with the replacement of kicker boards and barrier repairs.

More than 1,000 people a week visit the attraction in Oxpens, and the council is budgeting for £30,000 in lost takings.