WORCESTER'S long awaited Millennium Fountain has gone into hibernation less than a month after it was first switched on.

The Quayside fountain has to be shut off throughout the winter months to prevent the water standing on the surface freezing over and creating a hazard to pedestrians, said Chris Dobbs landscape architect for the city council.

There is also a small risk the ice could damage the pipes that feed the fountain.

The fence and barriers around the fountain are in place because it is still part of the construction site.

"We haven't finished the work there yet and there's still some paving work that needs to be done," said Mr Dobbs.

The fountain was opened at a ceremony on Tuesday, December 18, and was kept open over Christmas until Friday, December 28.

"We have still got some testing to do and then the fountain will be drained and it will be started again when the weather warms up," added Mr Dobbs.

"We haven't set a definite date for it to be turned on because the weather in February is so unpredictable. But we imagine it will be closed for two months for the winter."

The two-month winter closure will apply every year.

When the fountain is restarted it will run seven days a week from 8.30am to 9pm.

"We hope it will be a popular feature throughout the summer," said Mr Dobbs.