The skids have been put on the popular festive ice skating rink at Tynwald Mills.

It’s been announced on Facebook that the seasonal attraction won’t be back at St John’s this Christmas.

Ice Skate Isle of Man explained the decision was due to issues ’beyond the control’ of the organisers.

It posted: ’In recent years Tynwald Mills has worked with Ice Skate Isle of Man to provide the opportunity for a Christmas skating experience.

’However, due to issues which are beyond the control of the company and its organisers, it is not going to be possible to bring the event back to the island again, for Christmas 2018.’

It added: ’We would like to take this opportunity to thank the tens of thousands of people that have used our facility, year on year.

’We are particularly proud and grateful to the schools and local charities we have partnered with and the funds raised through our events.’

Tynwald Mills Ltd has operated a temporary ice rink at the St John’s complex during the Christmas period over the past six years.

But the attraction has run into problems with planners.

Last year Millstreams Ltd, trading as Tynwald Mills IoM Ltd, applied for permission to erect a temporary marquee on the overflow car park for 60 days.

But the planning application was refused on the grounds that the marquee would represent unwarranted development in the countryside.

Planners said the rink would have a negative impact visually and its use could result in an ’unwarranted and unacceptably unneighbourly levels of noise in an otherwise quiet and rural location’.

They also had concerns about increased footfall and traffic in an area without adequate roads or footpaths.

However, the festive attraction did go ahead last Christmas after Tynwald Mills lodged an appeal and sought a temporary permission. The company insisted that while the planning process was ongoing the status quo would remain.

The appeal was withdrawn in March this year.