Health and safety ban for skaters

Stirling Council said the rules were there to keep skaters safe

Rules which prevent figure skaters at a new £27m sports complex from skating clockwise, jumping or spinning have been defended by Stirling Council.

Skaters at The Peak have been told that health and safety rules mean the moves are banned during public sessions.

The facility, which also houses a gym, sports courts and pool, will serve as an official training location for the London 2012 Olympics.

Figure skaters in the area have described the rules as "over the top".

The 47m by 30m rink was officially opened in April and replaces the city's Williamfield rink which served as a practice ground for ice users.

According to The Peak's website, skaters attending the rink during "skate for all sessions" must not speed or figure skate, jump or spin, skate in chains of more than two people and must skate anti clockwise.

'Ice time'

An experienced ice rink manager who did not wish to be named, told the BBC news website: "People appreciate that the rules and regulations are there to protect people but there is a widespread feeling that this is a bit much.

"Skaters are now travelling out of Stirling to other rinks in order to practice."

In a statement, Stirling Council said Active Stirling, who administer the new sports complex, had to consider the safety of all rink users.

The statement added: "By their nature, some activities, such as ice skating are inherently more dangerous than others and as such require a more specific detailed set of rules which we require to be observed by all participants.

"One of the risks highlighted to us was the mix of skill levels on the ice, in particular some figure skating moves which could pose a danger to others hence the reason for not allowing figure skating during recreational ice time."

The council acknowledged there had been a "significant demand" for the ice from users of all levels.