Some fast-paced sporting action has taken centre stage as a national contest hits a coastal town.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Ice Hockey at Great Yarmouth Market Place. Royal Navy Kings (blue) Vs Milton Keynes Storm. Picture: ANTONY KELLYIce Hockey at Great Yarmouth Market Place. Royal Navy Kings (blue) Vs Milton Keynes Storm. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2017)

The puck was dropped at 6am this morning (Sunday) as a national ice hockey tournament returned to Great Yarmouth.

The UK Winter Classic – the only outdoor ice hockey tournament in the country – was showcased on the ice rink in the Market Square, which is organised by Great Yarmouth Borough Council.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Ice Hockey at Great Yarmouth Market Place. Royal Navy Kings (blue) Vs Milton Keynes Storm. Picture: ANTONY KELLYIce Hockey at Great Yarmouth Market Place. Royal Navy Kings (blue) Vs Milton Keynes Storm. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2017)

With the tournament run by Hockey Tutorial, eight teams from across the country – including sides from Coventry, Grimsby, Milton Keynes, the Royal Navy and RAF Cosford – competed in a contest consisting of eight teams made up of a maximum of nine players. Teams battled it out in knockout rounds, ahead of semi finals and the final at about 12.45pm.

Barry Coleman, chairman of the council’s economic development committee, said: “The UK Winter Classic is a unique draw for Great Yarmouth. It is great to welcome this prestigious tournament back to the town centre.”

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Ice Hockey at Great Yarmouth Market Place. Royal Navy Kings (blue) Vs Milton Keynes Storm. Picture: ANTONY KELLYIce Hockey at Great Yarmouth Market Place. Royal Navy Kings (blue) Vs Milton Keynes Storm. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2017)

Chris Kibui, of Hockey Tutorial, said: “It’s always an honour to host this event and an even greater honour to be welcomed back to Great Yarmouth.”

After the competition ends today, the rink will re-open to the public. The rink, which will be open until Tuesday, January 2, is sponsored by Great Yarmouth Town Centre Partnership, Market Gates, Proserv, Palmers, Norse and the Mercury, with media partner The Beach.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Ice Hockey at Great Yarmouth Market Place. Royal Navy Kings (blue) Vs Milton Keynes Storm. Picture: ANTONY KELLYIce Hockey at Great Yarmouth Market Place. Royal Navy Kings (blue) Vs Milton Keynes Storm. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2017)

Visit www.great-yarmouth.co.uk/SkateYarmouth to book ice rink tickets and discover more about Skate Yarmouth.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Ice Hockey at Great Yarmouth Market Place. Royal Navy Kings (blue) Vs Milton Keynes Storm. Picture: ANTONY KELLYIce Hockey at Great Yarmouth Market Place. Royal Navy Kings (blue) Vs Milton Keynes Storm. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2017)

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Ice Hockey at Great Yarmouth Market Place. Royal Navy Kings (blue) Vs Milton Keynes Storm. Picture: ANTONY KELLYIce Hockey at Great Yarmouth Market Place. Royal Navy Kings (blue) Vs Milton Keynes Storm. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2017)

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Ice Hockey at Great Yarmouth Market Place. Royal Navy Kings (blue) Vs Milton Keynes Storm. Picture: ANTONY KELLYIce Hockey at Great Yarmouth Market Place. Royal Navy Kings (blue) Vs Milton Keynes Storm. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2017)