CHILDREN put their skates on as interest in winter sports received a boost thanks to the Sochi Winter Olympics.

Oxford Ice Rink held three Winter Sports Workshops this week on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Throughout the week, more than 300 pupils in Years 5 and 6 attended the two-hour workshops at the rink in Oxpens Road.

Ten-year-old Anna Ward, a pupil at Rose Hill Primary School, said: “It was fun. I like falling over, it was funny.

“It was the first time I have been ice skating.”

Pupils learnt about the Olympics, how snow and ice is created and maintained at the ice rink, as well as having the chance to try out ice skating.

Julia Burson, divisional sports and community development manager for Fusion Lifestyle, which operates the rink in partnership with Oxford City Council, said: “Hopefully it will encourage some to get involved themselves.

“We have great facilities here in Oxford and many up and coming skaters in both figure skating and ice hockey.”