STARS SPARKLE @ WINTER WONDERLAND LAUNCH

Celebrities get skates on in aid of 'Help a London Child'

Celebrities turned out in force last night to celebrate the magic of Christmas as Hyde Park was transformed into the dazzling WINTER WONDERLAND. The VIP preview event was held in association with 95.8 Capital FM's HELP A LONDON CHILD and was attended by celebrities including Penny Lancaster Stewart, Jenson Button, Mutya Buena, Lisa Butcher and Tom & Claire Chambers.

Speaking at the event Penny Lancaster Stewart, who attended with her son Alastair, said:

"Winter Wonderland looks absolutely spectacular. The joy of it is that families can come along here, have a fantastic evening and at the same time go home knowing that they've helped Help a London Child."

WINTER WONDERLAND, which opens to the public this Saturday (22nd November), has grown by a third since last year and is expected to attract over 1 million visitors. Organisers have spent the year visiting winter festivals and fairs from all around the globe, bringing some truly unique attractions home to London's favourite festive event. The GIANT OBSERVATION WHEEL has grown from 50m to 60m giving spectators amazing views over the event and the whole of the capital city. The TRADITIONAL GERMAN MARKET has now doubled in size with over 50 chalets selling unique & quirky gifts. This year there are also additional eateries providing many more cosy places to sit and sip mulled wine or drink a chilled Bavarian beer.

New attractions to the event include Central London's FIRST EVER ROLLER COASTER and the 'IRRGARTEN MIRROR MAZE', never before seen in the UK. Also new to WINTER WONDERLAND is the HOUSE OF ST NIKOLAS BAR & GRILL with its very own 'snug' and the BAVARIAN VILLAGE - a whole village of Tyrolean chalets serving continental fayre, with their very own Oompah band. Also unveiled this year is the 'CAFE GRELL', a heated two storey vintage German cafe which directly overlooks London's biggest and most popular ice rink.

Entry to the event is absolutely FREE giving all children the opportunity to meet Santa and his Elves, whilst listening to choirs singing carols by candlelight every evening in the run up to Christmas. With rides starting at £2 and inexpensive activities for all ages and tastes, WINTER WONDERLAND is officially the best way to beat the credit crunch this festive season.

Tickets for Ice Skating and the Observation Wheel can be bought in advance, attendees are advised to book now to avoid disappointment as these sell out extremely quickly.

Ten pence from every skating ticket purchase will go to HELP A LONDON CHILD.

For information and ticket details:
www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com