My son of ten and his friends skated both on the outdoor Christmas rink at Brighton Marina and in the Brighton Centre before the Ice Show.

From the number of people who used the facilities, they obviously proved very popular. On one occasion, we couldn't get in as it was fully booked. The next session was very busy, requiring a larger area than was offered.

This city is desperate for an all-year skating facility and I am keeping everything crossed that Robin Cousins' plan for the Black Rock site is not rejected in favour of yet more hotels, nightclubs, shops or offices. We are already overrun with these facilities.

There is so little for the youngsters to do in their free time and skating is a wonderful way of exercising, being social in a safe environment and off the streets.

When I was a teenager, I met all my friends at the Top Rank skating rink. We never had any inclination to spray people's property with paint or run amok because we had something to do, burning off our excess energy.

Please give us a skating rink that is affordable for everyone - we have waited

a very long time on false promises.

-Debrah J Knowles, Sandgate Road, Brighton