SWINDON: All bets are off for a white Christmas but it is guaranteed outside Swindon's Rudi's Wine Bar. The Regents Circus bar has invested in a snow making machine to put punters in a permanent winter wonderland throughout the Christmas period.

The machine was started up yesterday and created quite a stir as it blew snowflakes out of an upstairs window and onto the street.

Restaurant manager, Nicola Notton, said: "I couldn't believe the response, everyone loves it.

Everyone's seems so stressed out at this time of year but when they walk past and see all the snow they just start smiling. It's creating such a good atmosphere."