"LOOK at all of these medals... without Grimsby ice rink, we wouldn't have any."

That is the message from Rhiannon Parker-Nicholls, 10, Andrew Thompson, 11, and his sister Emma, 14, who have all built up a fine collection of trophies in figure skating.

They all perform for Grimsby Ice Skating Club, which uses the threatened Cromwell Road facility for events and training.

They have all been extremely successful, winning various competitions between them.

As reported, North East Lincolnshire Council is planning a multi-million-pound revamp of the area's leisure facilities.

Grimsby Ice Skating Club stars Rhiannon Parker-Nicholls and Andrew Thompson at Grimsby Leisure Centre with some of the many trophies they have won this year.

Included is a plan to close Grimsby Leisure Centre – where the ice rink is based – with no option to relocate the rink, which has been in operation since the 1970s.

It has sparked a fierce backlash from thousands of users, with an online petition set up at www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/icerinkpetition in a bid to force council chiefs to retain a facility in the town.

That petition will be presented to the council ahead of the meeting of the Environment, Culture and Tourism Scrutiny Committee on July 28.

And tonight, campaigners will hold a public meeting to further discuss the issue.

Since February, Rhiannon, of Nettleton, and Emma and Andrew, of Grimsby, have amassed a huge number of trophies between them, making the top three in events in Bristol, Bradford, and Grimsby amongst other places.

Rhiannon, said: "I wouldn't have got all of these trophies if it wasn't for having an ice rink in Grimsby.

"I am very happy with all of my trophies, and really enjoy using the rink here.

"I want to be a world champion one day, and it all started here."

Andrew added: "I think the plans are selfish. It is really bad that they might close Grimsby Ice Rink.

"That would mean having to go to Hull, and with bridge tolls, it is too expensive and difficult for some people to get there as well, so we have to keep the rink."

Rhiannon's mother, Christine, said: "It is important that the whole of Lincolnshire gets behind this campaign, because Grimsby is the only town that has a rink."

Andrew and Emma's mother, June, said: "Emma thinks exactly the same as Andrew does, it would be a massive loss to them."

Amanda Raworth-Hayes coaches all three.

She said: "They have all done fantastically well, but it wouldn't be possible without Grimsby Ice Rink, which is why we must save it."

The council has said it is actively looking for private investment which could retain a rink in Grimsby.

Meeting time

Tonight's meeting will be held at Grimsby Leisure Centre at 7pm.