Skating fans are stepping up their campaign for an Olympic ice arena.

Members of Keep Sussex Skating (KSS) have drawn up plans to build a £10 million, 4,000-seat arena at the Black Rock site in Kemp Town, Brighton.

The area has been largely disused since a swimming pool was closed in 1978.

A shortlist of five developers interested in a leisure scheme for the site will submit further details to Brighton and Hove City Council next month.

KSS spokeswoman Patricia Ginman said: "We drew up our first plans in 1999 but nothing seems to have progressed much since then.

"We know two of the developers are interested in ice. Hopefully when public consultation starts soon, we can get moves in the right direction."

She was encouraged by last week's Urban Summit in Birmingham, where speakers such as John Prescott and Gordon Brown discussed boosting housing, jobs, open spaces and culture.

Sarah Tanburn, the city council's director of culture and regeneration, spoke of how the city's major challenges included improving Black Rock.

Mrs Ginman said: "It's good to hear the Government and the council talking about urban renewal. An ice arena would be of great cultural value to the city.

"Not only would we be getting youngsters off the streets and improving social interaction. It would also provide a lot of jobs.

"Forty years ago Brighton had a thriving industry based around the Holiday On Ice shows. We can make that happen again."

The city has been without a major skating rink since one was closed in West Street in 1965.

The KSS plans, backed by ice stars Robin Cousins and Jayne Torvill, will be on display at the Brighton Centre from December 28 to January 5.

The group will have a stand there to attract users of the temporary ice rink at the centre over the winter period.