A DEVOTED couple broke the ice with a kiss as they renewed their wedding vows - on an ice-rink.

Carolyn and Michael Duffy, who live in Sedgefield, first met at Billingham Forum’s ice-rink 20 years ago.

They wed two years later but decided to renew their vows at the rink at the weekend where they have spent many happy years.

It is the first ‘wedding’ service held on the ice-rink and about 130 friends and family applauded from the seats.

Celebrant Natalie Swann dressed as an ice-hockey referee because Mr Duffy still plays for the Cleveland Comets and Mrs Duffy also used to play.

A highlight of the service was when figure skater Edward Hammond entertained with a virtuoso performance as the couple signed the register.

Mrs Duffy, 37, a student nurse, said the couple wanted to renew their vows in front of their four children, Hannah, 18, Patrick, 17, Joshua, eight and Ava six.

“It’s been perfect,” she said. “Our firsts wedding was very formal, and this is something a bit different.”

Mr Duffy, who has played ice-hockey since he was seven, explained the couple got married on May 11, 1996, so it was almost exactly 18 years to the day for them to renew their vows.

“We’ve had many happy times here,” he said after Saturday's wedding, “and today has been great fun.”

Even the defeat of the Cleveland Comets by the Durham Dragons following the ceremony could not cool the couple's spirits.