THOUSANDS of visitors will get a frosty reception when they join in York’s tenth Festival Of Angels this weekend.

Christmas shoppers will be treated to a display of ice sculptures, ranging from a penguin, peacock and tiger to a palm tree, diamond and the Taj Mahal.

The festival is expected to attract about 45,000 visitors to the city and will take place in the area of York known as the Quarter, which incorporates Grape Lane, Swinegate, Back Swinegate and Little Stonegate.

There will also be the chance to see an ice carver in action and the streets will be lined with food and drink stalls and musicians.

The festival, paid for by local traders and Benenden Healthcare, will also feature a Parade Of Angels on Sunday, when children are invited to walk through the city dressed in angelic costumes.

Organiser Sally Dunn said: “The festival is a real family event. There are sculptures to appeal to adults and children and there’s always such a magical atmosphere.

“Visit York said they are estimating 45,000 people will come to York over the Saturday and Sunday for the festival and the weather is supposed to be fine, which is brilliant.”

The ice sculptures are created by a London company, which has sent up one of its sculptors for the weekend.

He will perform live ice carving demonstrations outside the back entrance of Browns department store, in Swinegate, at noon, 2pm and 4pm on Saturday and Sunday.

The Parade Of Angels will start outside the south entrance of the Minster at 2pm on Sunday and end at the Slug and Lettuce, in Back Swinegate, where children will be given a complementary hot chocolate.

They will be led through the streets by a German Oompah band, which will be playing music throughout the day.

Children will be able to visit Santa’s grotto at Kennedy’s Bar andRestaurant, in Little Stonegate, and there will also be a chance to visit Father Christmas in his sleigh, which will be parked in Swinegate.

Meanwhile, Benenden Healthcare will be running a teddy bear hoopla outside Oscar’s Wine Bar & Bistro in Swinegate, with all proceeds going to Snappy – a York charity providing weekend and holiday activities for children with learning difficulties.