OLYMPIC and European ice skating champion Robin Cousins, head judge on ITV’s ratings winner Dancing on Ice, has been drafted in to make Chester Zoo Frost Fair one of the coolest events in Cheshire over winter.

The event was such a hit when it was held for the first time last year that it was decided to repeat it.

But this year’s event will feature an even bigger ice rink, along with an array of magical attractions to entertain young and old alike.

Robin Cousins’ company Cousins Entertainment, which also creates the Dancing on Ice competition rink, will be setting up an ice rink in the zoo grounds – the size of about three professional tennis courts side by side.

It will be twice as large as last year’s rink and Robin will be a VIP guest at the fair on November 29.

‘We are delighted to have one of Britain’s all-time sporting greats help us kick-off this year’s spectacular,’ said Chester Zoo visitor services manager Liz Child.

‘Not only is he an Olympic ice skating hero, but he has gone on to stage some of the world’s most successful ice shows ever. It’s fantastic to have him helping out the zoo’s team like this.’

This year’s Frost Fair will run from November 16 to January 13 with a colourful line up of costumed characters, an enchanting Santa’s grotto, animation shows, gifts, craft stalls and warming seasonal refreshments, all designed to put extra festive sparkle into the run-up to Christmas and beyond.

Last year the event led to a doubling of normal visitor figures for the period.

Robin won Olympic gold in 1980 and went on to scoop the world free skating championship gold medal three times.

Since giving up competitive skating he has worked with Holiday on Ice, choreographed television and staged blockbusters such as the record-breaking Electric Ice, Disney’s Toy Story and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express on Ice.

He said: ‘I am thrilled that my company will be involved with the frost fair and ice rink at Chester Zoo this year.

‘I am always delighted to see people being encouraged to participate in the fantastic sport of skating – what better time than at Christmas.’

For more details and to book tickets visit the website www.chesterzoo.org/frostfair