A former Olympian has called for an ice rink to be built.

David King, from Carlisle, is a figure skater and has competed several times in competitoins, namely the Olympics, during which this year did not see a stellar performance from Team GB - except for in curling.

UK Sport, a government agency, funded £6.3 million into curling for the Olympic winter games in Beijing this year.

Curling is associated a lot with Dumfries and Galloway, an area which David knows as the nearest ice rink from Carlisle.

Nearest, a word used only technically, as it is quite the journey for him and children who he takes there for training.

David wanted to build an ice rink in Carlisle several years ago but it was unfortunately turned down by the City Council, something he aid was due to there not being enough room for one in the city.

King said there is a lot potential for an ice rink in Cumbria, as it would give people in the area a lot more to do.

He said he also had studies done many years ago, showing proof that quite a lot of people support the idea.

However, even though things aren't looking hopeful for an ice rink in Carlisle, David said there is hope for one being built in Allerdale.

This idea has the support of the MP for Workington, Mark Jenkinson, who said he and King shared a written correspondance on the matter.

He said: "A lot of my constituents will remember a temporary ice rink in Workington which went down very well.

"Unfortunately, the council who funded it saw it as a provision, rather than having the wrap-around with food stalls and everything that comes with it, so it did end up becoming adrain on resources."

"When you consider the general population that would come to and pay for an ice rink, it would need the continued support of those people.

"We used to see people travel up to Lockerbie and Dumfries, so it is something that is up to a potential operator to have faith in and support.

"Once we move through local reform there may be a better chance.

"Cumberland is a bigger entity than the borough councils, but it's more local than the County Council, so it may be something they'll consider."