TEN TONNES of ice are expected on the streets of York this weekend.

The biggest outdoor ice trail in the UK will see 45 frosty figures on display around the streets of York on Saturday and Sunday.

The brainchild of tourism body Make It York, the trail hit the streets of York for the first time in December 2015 and has been hugely popular with visitors and residents.

People can follow the trail, sponsored by York’s Ultra Fibre Optic by TalkTalk, to find the sculptures, made from crystal-clear ice, which this year include a Lego Batman in Walmgate to the Night King character from Game of Thrones in Blake Street, the frozen creations have been sponsored by businesses from across the city.

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.”

In St Sampson’s Square, visitors can peer into the sky through Talk Talk’s Telescope and collect a ‘chill to reveal’ card for a chance to win an Apple iPod mini.

Live carving sessions will also offer the chance to see the skill behind the icy creations on Saturday and Sunday in St Helen’s Square at 3pm.

A highlight on the trail will be the Mighty Viking, in Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate, provided by Hungate York Regeneration. Standing at two metres tall he is one of the largest sculptures in the trail.

For the first time this year Monks Cross and Vangarde shopping parks area are also included on the trail, offering visitors the chance to explore more of York by using the Park & Ride to travel into the city. Mat Foster, creative director at Glacial Art, the company behind the sculptures, said: “Our chainsaws are oiled and our chisels are honed to razor sharpness and we have now completed 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, in Museum Street, and online at visityork.org