Tate's latest work of art is a tube slide

A new 30-metre long installation standing next to Tate Modern could be a piece of cutting-edge art.

However, its inspiration is not high culture but pure fun.

A giant "snow slide" is to be installed on the South Bank over Christmas. Southwark council believes it will be a huge hit with Londoners, who will pay £2 for three rides - known as tubing.

Users will be issued with a giant inflatable rubber tube when they set off - to protect their posteriors on the ride down.

"The slide promises to be one of the most fun things to do in London this Christmas," said Columba Blango, Southwark council's executive member for tourism.

"It's a fantastic way for companies to start off their office parties and it does not involve booking ahead." The snow slide - which has four lanes - will be ready for use on 17 December, and will stay until early January. It will take four days to build using an artificial snow surface made from plastic.

Unfortunately, children under five will not be allowed to use it for safety reasons.

On the slide's first day, Bankside will also host Southwark council's Frost Fair, running from Shakespeare's Globe to Tate Modern.

The fair, a regular feature of Christmas until the early 18th century, was reintroduced last year. It will feature more than 30 stalls, ice sculptures and street performers.