Contracts delay Slough's replacement ice rink

The rink was built in 1986 and was used to train stars featuring on ITV's Dancing on Ice competition

There has been a delay to the opening of a temporary ice rink set to provide skating facilities while a nearby permanent facility is being revamped.

Slough Borough Council commissioned the rink to allow regular users of Slough Ice Arena to continue the sport after the facility closed on 1 November.

The replacement had been due to open on 17 December but the authority said it is yet to agree contracts.

It said it was unable to provide a new date until the contracts were agreed.

Slough Ice Arena, which was built in 1986, was closed for a £7.7m refurbishment after the council said it was in a "shabby state".

The building, which was used to train contestants on ITV show Dancing on Ice , is due to reopen in late 2017.

The temporary rink was due to be installed in Montem car park.

Alison Hibbert, Slough's leisure services manager, said: "We have done all the initial works, have the electricity company on standby, have full planning permission, have widened the access road, done everything we can do to make this temporary rink happen.

"Unfortunately we are having to wait for the contract to be agreed and now we feel that, even if it is agreed today, the company will not be able to install the rink and associated building by the 17 December."

The ice rink will be shut for the most of 2017 while a £7.7m redevelopment takes place