A sports group has launched a campaign to bring a roller skating rink to the city.

Keep Sussex Skating (KSS) is collecting signatures calling on Brighton and Hove City Council and the developer behind the £250 million King Alfred seafront development to take skaters' needs into account.

The group wants the proposed dimensions of the sports hall in the Hove complex to be increased to make it big enough for an international-sized skating rink.

The official British Inline Skater Hockey Association's measurement for a skating rink is 40m by 20m, 4sqm larger than the 38m by 30m proposed for the new King Alfred centre.

KSS founder Patricia Ginman said: "The council is trading a crown jewel seafront site in Hove for a downgrade of sports specifications from the developers together with a massive impact of housing into the area.

"This relinquishes any dreams of a new state-of-the-art leisure sport centre, which our city resort needs and deserves.

"KSS is appealing for an international sized hockey pitch for the skaters."

John Fry, president of the British Roller Sports Federation, said: "Our sport must not be left behind.

"Roller sports together with karate, squash and golf have been nominated and put forward for inclusion in the 2012 Olympic Games.

"We must stress our needs to local authorities when building new facilities.

"We must also show how roller sports can enhance the use of sports halls across the country.

"The British Roller Sports Federation fully supports Keep Sussex Skating in their efforts to promote all aspects of skating sports."

To sign the petition email keepsussexskating@ntlworld.com or call 01273 884188.

Monday, 20 June, 2005