MEMBERS of an ice dancing and figure skating group have celebrated 70 years together.

The Ice Dance & Figure Skating Club was set up within months of the March 1952 opening of Southampton Ice Rink.

Membership peaked at around 400-500 - and the group kept going 34 years after the ice rink closed.

Many members - some who had been part of the group for the full 70 years - attended a reunion on April 24 at the Cranberry Centre in Eastleigh.

Club secretary Edna Boden said: "Our most successful and happiest years started in 1952 when the ice rink opened and the Club was set up.

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"Over the coming 36 years we had wonderful times, hundreds of members taking part in competitions, Galas and Ice Shows with many skating on the national and international circuit and turning to coaching and passing their skills and passion for ice skating on to others

"We entertained British, World and Olympic Champions - Courtney Jones, Torvill and Dean, Robin Cousins and John Curry to name just a few.

"Southampton Ice Rink was one of the most popular rinks in the whole country and Southampton Ice Dance & Figure Skating Club was a force to be reckoned with."

The rink closure in 1988 was a blow to the group.

On August 22 it was shut for redecoration but never reopened.

For years promises of a new ice rink for Southampton surfaced but never materialised, Edna said.

As a result, the club will now close - with its 70-year anniversary being its final reunion meeting.

She added: "So 70 years on we are now looking to close this much loved ice skating club - the memories and friendships will continue I am sure - but our greatest wish is that one day a permanent ice rink will be returned to the South Coast."