A GROUP of parents have launched a campaign to reopen their children's favourite skating rink.

Sunderland City Council bosses are accused of turning their backs on potential Olympic ice stars of tomorrow.

Crowtree Leisure Centre has been closed since July and already many skaters have either given up the sport or moved out of the area to pursue their interest.

Linzi Abdi, of Harrington, Washington, said her 14-year-old daughter, Nadia, was one who had given up skating since the facility closed.

She said: "There are kids who would have brought glory to Britain's squad for Sunderland who have now moved to Dundee to continue their sport.

"The council speaks about an Olympic-sized swimming pool - but they send a lot of Olympic hopefuls to Dundee."

A council spokesman said: "The ice rink is closed temporarily. A proposal was put to the full council that all leisure facilities in Sunderland be in partnership with the private sector and that would take in Crowtree. In that way we are looking to see what funds can be guaranteed to provide a future for all facilities."