Leisure bosses have been urged to cut ticket prices for ice-skating to get more older folk out on the ice.

White House Care Home, off Darlington Road, attracted national attention for taking elderly residents on visits to Billingham Forum’s ice rink.

But Stockton’s Mayor, Cllr Lynn Hall, has called on leisure centre bosses to slash costs to give more elderly Teessiders a chance to get on the ice.

White House was given a glowing report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) on the back of an inspection last year – winning a top tier “outstanding” seal of approval from the watchdog.

However, Cllr Hall revealed repeated visits to Billingham Forum were hitting the home in the pocket at the latest adult social care select committee.

The Hartburn councillor added: “I’ve discovered each time they go they have to pay for the residents to go on the ice – because it’s too cumbersome to actually find out which residents are on benefits to get a deal. If they go to Preston Park they can buy one ticket and use it to get in and out. I just wondered why we didn’t get Tees Active on board to say the carers can go free to push the wheelchairs.”

Cllr Hall told the panel concessions could help to boost the number of volunteers helping at homes.

“It could be pushed out to other care homes,” she added.

Billingham Forum is run by Tees Active – an independent trust which runs Stockton Council’s leisure facilities.

Emma Champley, from Stockton Council, said the authority would approach the firm.

White House was singled out by the CQC for its “particularly creative” approach when it came to keeping its Hartburn residents moving.

The watchdog’s report added: “This included arranging a “summer Olympics’, wheelchair ice skating or trips out on a boat, where people actively got to take the wheel and steer the vessel.

“One person told inspectors, ‘I loved the boat trip, we will have to do it again when the weather is good!’

After the meeting, a spokesman for Tees Active said: “Tees Active are delighted that residents at White House care home are accessing and enjoying ice skating at Billingham Forum.

“Allan McDermott, our community engagement manager, is meeting Stockton Council where we are exploring a number of physical activity opportunities available for care home activity co-ordinators to engage their residents.”