It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas - but not as we've known it.

With shops now stocking festive food, wrapping paper and tacky decorations there's little doubt that the festive season is rapidly approaching, although it's bound to look a little different this time around.

In previous years many of us have been eager to strap on skates and show off our graceful ice skating skills - others have had to settle with lots of falling over.

These are the ice rinks, both temporary and permanent that have been in Hampshire over the years. Some may even be back in the future!

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Westquay, Southampton

Daily Echo:

This temporary rink between the old walls and Westquay shopping centre returns each year, but won't be in 2020.

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Bargate, Southampton

Daily Echo:

Before the temporary Christmas ice rink found a home at Westquay it was located at the Bargate.

The above picture shows Matt Le Tissier at the rink in 2012.

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Guildhall Square, Southampton

Daily Echo:

In 2007 the temporary Christmas ice rink was at Guildhall Square.

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Winchester Cathedral

Daily Echo:

This temporary Christmas ice rink, installed in the grounds of the grand Winchester Cathedral, has long been a favourite destination of ice skating fans each festive period.

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Southampton Ice Rink

Daily Echo:

The city's original ice rink was located at Banister Stadium and opened in 1931.

After suffering damage during the Blitz of 1940, the rink was rebuilt on the same site in 1952.

The ice rink shut its doors for the last time in 1988 when the building was demolished and housing built on the site.

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Royal Victoria Country Park, Netley

Daily Echo:

This temporary rink hit Royal Victoria Country Park in 2014 - much to the delight of ice skating fans.

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Mansell Park, Millbrook, Southampton

Daily Echo:

This temporary ice rink was a one-off and wasn't even at Christmas.

The ice ink in Mansell Park was part of the SO16 summer festival which gave hundreds of youngsters the opportunity to try plenty of activities and sports.

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Eastleigh Christmas festival

Daily Echo:

Around a decade ago the Eastleigh's Christmas festivities included a temporary ice rink.

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Toby Carvery, Fair Oak

Daily Echo:

In 2014 a temporary ice rink was installed by Toby Carvery in Fair Oak.

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Sandy Balls, New Forest

Daily Echo:

Sandy Balls Holiday Village put up a temporary rink for the winter.

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Segensworth, Fareham

Daily Echo:

This temporary ice rink was put up in 2010 by Grieg Howe, a Bournemouth man that also created a rink in his front garden.