The stage has been set for ice queens to get their skates on for the Wild Fruit party night.

The Brighton Centre today opened its purpose-built ice rink to the public ahead of the gay and lesbian family bash on Sunday.

Featuring fancy dress prizes, DJs and bars, the two-hour party will take place from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Tickets cost £7.50 for skaters or £3 for spectators.

The Wild Fruit event, in aid of Pride, is one of many skating opportunities available to the public over the new year.

Centre staff have been busy setting up the rink over the Christmas period. It took 24 people eight hours to lay the floor and put up safety barriers on December 23, and a further 24 hours over Boxing Day to freeze the 10,000 gallons of water it holds.

Steve Sillence, technical manager at the Brighton Centre, said he would be testing out the ice on the 38m by 18m rink before it opened this morning at 8.30am.

He said: "The rink was a great success last year, with every session sold out. We are expecting a mix of people."

To mark the opening, the centre will host a Southern FM party night with DJ Danny Pike tonight. There will be two sessions for the disco bash, at 6.30pm and at 9pm, and non-skaters will be invited to watch from safety at the side of the rink.

Public sessions will be held until January 5, with two-hour sessions starting at 8.30am for early birds or finishing at 11pm. There will be a half-an-hour break between each session so the ice can be cleaned. Prices start at £6.50 for adults and £5 children.

From January 9, the ice will be used by professional entertainers for the Holiday on Ice show, which runs until next Thursday, January 2. Those appearing include Leo Sayer.

This year there will also be music from around the world, including African, jazz, salsa, and hip hop.

For more information, call 0870 9009100.