FULL plans to turn Colchester’s Castle Park into a Winter Wonderland are expected to be submitted next week.

Hythe company Illuminate Design has submitted a initial proposals to open an ice rink and have a Christmas market in Upper Castle Park for four weeks over Christmas.

Ben Payne, who runs the company, said since the Gazette broke the story last month, he has received “really positive feedback”.

He said: “We are still on course to have it open for this Christmas, there is just a lot to get through, but it is progressing.

“We hope a full planning application will go in in the next week or so.”

Mr Payne’s plans are being backed by winter events specialists Cousins Entertainment, which provides ice rinks for Dancing on Ice as well as at other winter wonderlands across the country.