WORK has started on relaying the ice in preparation for the rebirth of ice hockey in Newcastle.

The city has been without a team since financial difficulties caused the downfall of the Newcastle Jesters club in February last year.

But construction boss Darryl Illingworth, who runs the Newcastle KBS Diamonds speedway team, is working with top ice hockey boss Alex Dampier to put together a new club.

The Newcastle KBS Vipers will play in the British National League, using the city's Telewest Arena as its home venue.

While Mr Dampier is in Canada trying to sign new players to ice alongside a number of young North-East based players, work has started at the arena on preparing the playing surface.

The ice pad is expected to be in place in about a fortnight's time.