The Christmas ice rink at a Bristol shopping centre was more like a lake this weekend – because of the weather.

Mild temperatures and high winds put paid to the frozen surface at Winter Wonderland in the car park at The Mall, Cribbs Causeway.

Skaters weren't allowed on the rink during the weekend, but organisers hope to have it open again before Christmas.

Matt Johnson, 42, of Filton, Bristol, had booked to take his daughter and seven of her friends to skate on Saturday.

It was arranged as a celebration for her 12th birthday but the group had to go 10-pin bowling instead.

Mr Johnson booked online and paid more than £50 for the tickets, which are non-refundable.

The temporary ice rink will be dismantled on January 4.

He said: "I think it's crazy that the slightest change in weather can shut the rink and yet they don't offer you a refund. When am I going to be able to get all eight children together again to skate before January 4?

"I paid £6.50 for each ticket, so it's not a cheap day out."

Temperatures in Bristol on Saturday peaked at 11°C, with winds on Friday night gusting to almost 50mph.

Paul Mott, a spokesman for the MeteoGroup weather centre, said: "It is fairly mild for the time of year.

"Average temperatures for this month usually hover around 6°C.

"The high winds would have mixed up the air just above the surface of ice, preventing it from freezing.

"On a day with low wind speeds the air just above the surface would be cold enough to help keep the base frozen."

The Mall at Cribbs Causeway said the ice rink would remain closed until it was safe to repoen.

Sarah King, spokeswoman for The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, said: "The mild temperatures on Friday night, coupled with high winds, meant the surface of the ice wasn't frozen properly.

"We regrettably had to shut the ice rink on Saturday and Sunday.

"The wind was the main problem.

"The wind blew the surface water across the base and that didn't allow it to freeze.

"We will reopen it when it is safe to do so.

"Anyone who has pre- bought tickets will be able to transfer to another date, but it clearly states in the small print that the tickets are non-refundable."

Update 11.15am Mon 22 Dec

The ice skating rink has today reopened.

Sarah King, spokeswoman for The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, said: "We assessed the rink first thing Monday morning and the ice was fully frozen once again.

"We reopened the rink and a good number of people were enjoying it in the morning, around 150.

"From a safety point of view we are always assessing the quality of the ice.

"What we had over the weekend was mild temperatures with high winds that melted the surface."

The ice will be checked on a day to day basis but organisers hope it will continue to operate until January 4 as planned.

Anyone who booked tickets for the weekend that weren't used can transfer them to another date.