A TRAIL of freezing festive sculptures is making a frosty return to the streets of York.

Anyone setting foot in the city over the weekend of December 9 and 10 can follow a path of icy artwork scattered around some of York’s renowned streets.

The ice trail, featuring frozen water tributes to Game of Thrones, Minions, Lego Batman, Garfield and Jägermeister among others, first arrived in two years ago and is a hugely popular feature of York’s Christmas celebrations.

Make it York are again behind the organisation of the 45 pieces of art, which are dotted around the city and sponsored by businesses and attractions from York Minster to the National Railway Museum.

Sally Greenaway, head of Visit York, said: “There are some fantastic designs this year and we’re excited to see the finished results.

“This is the largest outdoor ice sculpture trail in the UK and we’re really proud York’s businesses have got behind it to showcase the beautiful city of York at its most festive.”

One of the highlights of this year’s show is set to be The Mighty Viking provided by Hungate York Regeneration, which stands at two metres tall and is one of the largest sculptures in the trail.

For the first time this year Monks Cross and Vangarde shopping are also included in the line-up, offering visitors the chance to explore more of York by using the Park & Ride.

Meanwhile Castle Howard’s chilled cherub heralds their spectacular Angels on High decorative theme at Low Petergate.

Mat Foster, creative director at Glacial Art, said: “Our chainsaws are oiled and our chisels are honed to razor sharpness as we begin the mammoth task of carving over 90 ice sculptures for this year’s York Ice Trail. This is without doubt the biggest project we have ever undertaken with over 10 tonnes of hand carved ice for you to enjoy.”

A free Ice Trail Map is available from the Visit York Information Centre at 1 Museum Street and online at visityork.org. This year’s Christmas celebrations started last Thursday and will run until December 22 as part of York Christmas Festival.