FORMER ice skating champion Nicky Slater is appealing for backers to turn his vision of a new ice rink in Altincham into reality.

He has unveiled the design of the new rink he wants to open in the town centre - showing how the facility would transform the Oakfield Road car park site.

But Nicky's Adventure on Ice company still needs to put together a package to finance the £3.5 million project. He has £1.5 million but has to rake in another £1.5 million to keep the scheme off the skids.

Nicky, though, remains confident he will be able to get the backing he needs to open the 1,000-seater Olympic sized rink. Building work needs to start in September to meet a deadline of opening in April, when the town's current rink is due to close.

Council chiefs at Trafford have agreed to support the ambitious scheme in principle and have provided the town centre site next to the Metrolink station for it.

Although Nicky needs £2 million to completely fit out the centre, it can be opened on a staged basis with £1.5 million.

Nicky said: "We have a funding gap of £1.5 million. This needs bridging to help us open on schedule. This gap is not stopping action in any way - our team, working with Trafford council and local services, are doing a fantastic job across all areas. Everyone is committed to realising the facility on time.

"We are in discussion with potential backers and are looking at various options, but we need more people to come forward."

Anyone who can help can contact Adventure on Ice on tel 01273 621 910 or at info@adventure.co.uk