WORK has begun on dismantling a number of seasonal ice rinks forced to close prematurely after a leisure company ceased trading.

The rinks, installed for the festive season, were rented by councils across the region including Darlington, Middlesbrough and Stockton.

But just days after opening they were shut after Redcar based Aria ceased trading, blaming wrangles with creditors and insurers.

Ice rinks in Darlington and Stockton are now being taken away, while the rink in Middlesbrough town centre has already been removed. Councils have denied that they stand to lose thousands of pounds from the premature closure of the rinks with Aria now understood to be in administration.

Mike Clark, a spokesman for Middlesbrough Council, said: "We were very well protected as we paid in instalments and any losses will be very small.

"We understand that Aria are now in administration."

A spokeswoman at Stockton Borough Council said the amount it had paid for four months use of the rink was "nowhere near" a reported figure of £80,000.

She added: "The council does not expect to be any worse off as a result of what has happened."