ICE sports enthusiasts campaigning for a new rink gather on the site of a city's former facility to further their cause tonight.

County Durham Ice Foundation is established to campaign, raise funds and coordinate interested groups to highlight the "clear need" for a rink.

It follows the recent success of the temporary open air rink in Spennymoor over Christmas.

Several groups, including members of the itinerant Durham Dragons ice hockey club, supporters of the old Durham Wasps team, and figure skating representatives, came together to demonstrate the interest in ice sports.

Despite the void created in the six years since the closure of the Riverside rink in Durham, they believe sufficient demand remains to justify such a development.

Durham City Council has stated it does not have the funding to build and run a new rink, but it would strive to be sympathetic to any outside body seeking such a development in a suitable location.

The foundation was formed recently at Durham's Meridian Health Centre, developed in a refurbished part of the old rink building, alongside a ten-pin bowling alley.

Members plan to campaign, lobby councillors and MPs, and raise funds in a bid to, "get Durham back on ice".

The foundation wants to hear from other interested individuals at a public meeting at the Meridian Health Centre tonight, at 8pm.