Bradfordians are putting on their skates and making a beeline for the city's ice rink to follow TV celebrities onto the ice.

Bosses at the Bradford Ice Arena say there has been a huge rise in the number of people skating since the launch of the reality television show Dancing on Ice, which sees celebrities battle it out on the rink.

They say the day after the first programme was aired the number of skaters at Bradford's Little Horton Lane ice rink doubled.

Angie Green, manager at Bradford Ice Arena, said it was extremely busy at the ice rink on the Sunday after the first show went out and had been busy ever since.

"I think Dancing on Ice is really inspiring people to skate," she said. "It shows how much fun it is, and because many of the celebrities have never really skated before it shows that anybody can learn."

She said there had also been a big surge in the number of people wanting to take lessons.

"Lots of people have signed up to receive tuition in ice skating," she said.

"Because of the boost in interest we are offering a free taster session to people interested in signing up for the six week course."

Saturday's family skate session proved very popular with newcomers.

Cheryl Readay, of Bingley, brought herself and her three children down after being enthralled by the programme last weekend. As her children Sarah, 12, Andrew, 11, and Emma, six, got to grips with the ice, Mrs Ready said: "They say that television is not a positive influence but if it makes children want to have a go at something like this then it can only be a good thing. I am sure we will come back."

Another parent, Joan Deicheon, whose children have been coming to the rink "off and on" for five years, said it was significantly busier since the TV show began.

Former Coronation Street stars Gaynor Faye and Sean Wilson are taking part in the series along with Dame Kelly Holmes, Andrea McLean, Andi Peters, Bonnie Langford, John Barrowman, Stefan Booth and Tamara Beckwith who was knocked out of the competition last week.

They are being coached by Olympic medal winners Jayne Torvill and Christ-opher Dean.

Former Bradford Ice Arena ice skating coach Pamela O'Connor is also taking part in the show, partnering former England goalkeeper David Seaman.

This is not Pamela's first brush with fame as the professional skater appeared alongside Robbie Williams in his hit 1999 video She's the One.

The 25-year-old is currently filming the Dancing on Ice series in London.