The only ice rink in Brighton is to be sold for £45,000 prompting fears that city skaters will be left without anywhere to show off their skills.

Owners Roy and Sherry Scott are selling up after a three and a half years to concentrate on their family but are confident they can find someone to take on the rink at Queen's Square.

The couple, who are keen skaters, described their job as a "labour of love" and said whoever took over would need to be very hard working and love being on the ice.

Mrs Scott, 26, said: "It's a family-run place and because it's quite a small rink it has a lovely atmosphere.

"There is a lot of demand for ice skating in the area. Whoever takes over will need to be hard working and dedicated.

"But it's worth it, especially when you see people going from the stage where they cannot even stand up on the ice to being able to skate perfectly."

Valerie Moon, who set up the rink with her husband more than 30 years ago after the closure of the SS Brighton rink in the mid-Sixties, said it was vital the rink remained open because it was still very popular.

She said: "It has done extremely well. It was put in very temporarily when the old one closed.

"I started it because I didn't want children not to have a chance to skate and sadly lots of the rinks are closing."

In the Eighties there were fears the rink, which was set up in an old Territorial Army drill hall, would have to be closed when the owners could not find anyone to buy the business.

Patricia Ginman, of Keep Sussex Skating, said: "This rink is very important. We hope someone will take over the rink and keep it going."

The group is campaigning for a new rink to be built on the old swimming pool site at Black Rock.

Mrs Ginman added: "We thank Roy and Shirley for all they have done and we understand why they are giving it up but we do hope someone will come forward."

The couple decided to give up the rink, which measures 40ft by 60ft, after Mrs Scott developed health problems.

She intends to stop working and concentrate on bringing up their two children, aged six and two, while her husband plans to get a less stressful job.

On a busy Saturday, about 300 people pass through the doors. It also caters for parties and has ice disco sessions every Friday and Saturday night.

Mrs Scott said: "The ice rink is popular with visitors. A lot of skaters like the fact it is not huge and impersonal.

"It's got a lot of character. Running it is a job you have to love. But there is the perk of always being able to have a free skate whenever you feel like it."