THE Newcastle Jesters crisis could lead to the collapse of another North-East outfit, it has been warned.

While those involved in the sport across the country have had their eyes on the Jesters situation since February, awaiting the outcome of the ongoing pay dispute, the saga has now drawn in Sunderland Ice Hockey Club.

Because of the closure of Sunderland's Crowtree Leisure Centre's rink, the city's club has been forced to use the ice at Whitley Bay's Hillheads venue and the Telewest Arena, Newcastle.

But Colin Revel, general manager of the Arena, has warned that if the Jesters situation leads to the club's closure - a very possible outcome - then the ice would be melted as its upkeep would not be financially viable.

This would leave Sunderland with only a couple of hours of ice time a week at Whitley Bay, on which to train and play games for seven teams, ranging from youth to senior levels.

Mr Revel said: "It will have very serious spin-offs and ramifications for Sunderland."

With Crowtree's ice unlikely to be ready again until next summer, Sunderland club secretary Robert Laidler said: "It's going to make it impossible to run a club.

"Until such times as there is a statement one way or the other, we are waiting in the wings to see what will happen."

The downfall of Sunderland would result in the loss of one of the region's top ice hockey breeding grounds, which has produced such top stars as Jonathan Weaver.

Mr Revel said the cost of keeping the ice laid at the Telewest would not be too big a problem, however, sue to other events, there would be additional expense from having to remove the ice and relay it regularly.