A WORCESTER festival with everything from young bands to skating helped banish the winter blues.

The Chill festival in Cripplegate Park yesterday had a live music stage and even its own ice rink.

Sarah Newman Penny, aged 31, of Dragons Lane, Leigh Sinton, watched as her children, Charlotte, eight, and Emily, six took to the rink for the first time.

She said: “It’s been really good apart from the weather. It’s the first time they have tried ice skating – or should I say ice walking? It’s good because of the variety of activities, the fact that most of it’s free and the music.”

The money from the ice skating went to the Make-A-Wish-Foundation, which grants wishes such as once-in-a-lifetime holidays to children and young people fighting life-threatening illnesses.

By 3pm the event had raised £80 for the charity, filling two collection boxes.

Sixteen-year-old Fred Simmonds from Sk8 and Play performed skateboard tricks on the ramps.

Nina and Daniel Rochelle of Blakefield Road, St John’s, Worcester, brought their 17-month-old twins Lindie and Cassie, who met Santa as he handed out chocolates.

Nina said: “It’s brilliant. We’ve had a great time. They liked the ball park best.”