A CHRISTMAS market and ice rink which was a big hit with shoppers in Spennymoor will not be repeated this year.

Sedgefield Borough Council hailed last year's town centre attraction as a success, claiming it drew 25,000 visitors and boosted the local economy.

But despite its success, the council were facing a shortfall of just under £10,000 to stage the event again this year.

A meeting of the council's cabinet yesterday agreed it could not underwrite the event, so there will be no skating in Spennymoor town centre this Christmas.

Presenting a report to council, head of leisure services Phil Ball said: "We've been agonising about this for quite some time.

"It's very sad that despite all efforts, no considerable progress has been made regarding the reduction of a financial shortfall of £10,000."

Leader of the council Brian Stephens said: "Last year we did have an ice rink in Spennymoor and it was a success for young people both inside and outside the area.

"Naturally the town's traders put money in to see if we could kick-start the regeneration of the town.

"We are very grateful to Spennymoor Town Council, who have tried their best to find the extra revenue required, but like every other council it's hard pushed to find it.

"We've got no other option but to say we're very sorry we cannot have an ice rink in Spennymoor this year."

Liberal Democrat councillor Ben Ord, the local member, was a critic of last year's event, feeling the money could have been better spent on town centre improvements.

He said: "I was a critic of it last year, but I wouldn't have been if it could have been successfully financed.

"I do think it was badly organised last year, there were too many market stalls which were left empty.

"There are some people who will be disappointed, but in my opinion I think we should be looking towards getting more money for doing up the shop fronts before we start organising events like that."