A Christmas ice rink in Birmingham city centre is operating without planning permission.

The T-Mobile rink, which will be in Centenary Square until the middle of January, is the centrepiece of the city council's festive entertainments package and has already attracted hundreds of visitors.

Although customers have been skating since the rink opened on November 25, a council committee will not consider a planning application from the city centre management company until this Thursday.

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A council spokeswoman insisted there was nothing unusual about the delay: "Under the General Permitted Development Order, TMobile Street Ice can be in-situ for up to 28 days before a planning application is required.

"The planning application for this attraction is therefore well within the required time limit."

Planning committee members are being recommended to grant temporary consent.

The committee is expected to order the rink to be removed by January 15.