COOL cats from the Waterfront Ice Skating Club are almost ready for their annual Christmas show.

The talented group of skaters are looking forward to performing their first festive spectacular since the pandemic began.

This year's production 'Circle of Life', which features songs and characters from 'The Lion King', will take place at the Waterfront Leisure Complex, running on Saturday December 11 at 1.30pm, 4.30pm and 7.30pm as well as the following day at 4.30pm and 7.30pm.

The show's principals have been practicing their parts since September - initially off-ice in the Waterfront's dance studios due to problems with the ice rink, before switching to on-ice rehearsals after the rink re-opened.

The cast members were disappointed last year when the show had to be cancelled due to the Covid-19 lockdown and are delighted that this year's edition is going ahead.

Hannah Gallagher, 17, who plays the villainous lion Scar, told the Tele she was glad to be back.

She said: "The Christmas show is one of my favourite things to do.

"It's great that it's back, especially after missing out last year - it felt as though something was missing when we didn't have the show to do."

Putting the show together in time for opening day is no small feat, and senior club members Rebecca McConnachie and Niamh Jamieson have stepped up this year to help coach their fellow club members.

After the uncertainty of the last 18 months, Rebecca said that it was good to have the show on the horizon and that its return had given club members the sense that things were getting back to normal.

She said: "The kids are really excited, I think it's given everyone something to look forward to.

"The highlight of our Christmas is usually the show, so having it back has helped make things feel more like normality."

*Tickets for the ice show cost £12 and can be purchased from the Waterfront reception or by calling 01475 797979 (option 4).