Armed services veterans have won their battle to block plans for a temporary Christmas ice-rink next to old soldiers' gravestones in a memorial garden.

A bid by Cities on Ice to bring skating to Memorial Gardens in Kingston town centre has been rejected after criticism from the Royal British Legion.

A Kingston Council spokesman said: "Following discussions with a range of interested parties including councillors, Kingston First, the Royal British Legion and other interested parties, the council has decided that the Memorial Gardens will not be leased out for an ice rink this Christmas.

"The discussions have helpfully highlighted a desire to better support our Armed Forces whilst making better use of the Memorial Gardens. The council will seek to harness that desire in the coming months."

The council had a duty to explore money-making schemes for the gardens, he said.

He said: "Many groups do support the proposal for a temporary ice rink but it is just one of many options that the council will discuss with interested parties during the coming months to establish public activities that might appropriately be hosted in the Memorial Gardens in the future."

Do you think there should have been an ice-skating rink in the Memorial Gardens?

Let us know by leaving a comment below or calling David Lindsell on 020 8474 4244.