AN under-threat skating rink has been saved thanks to donations from members of the public.

Harwich and Dovercourt Skating Rink on Lower Marine Parade was on the verge of closing after an insurance claim meant the cost of their cover rose from £2,800 to £12,000.

However they have successfully raised the £5,000 required and renegotiated their insurance to a more manageable rate.

The rink is leased from Tendring Council by the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes and spokesman John Brown was ecstatic that the rink can continue to run.

“We came very, very close to closing but now we are sitting pretty thanks to people making donations and this is a big boost for the people of Harwich,” he said.

“I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has helped, all their hard work has paid off and we have all managed to save this facility for the children of our community.

“We have also had help from Andrea King and her team who raised more than £500 at a sponsored skate and we collected more than £200 at Morrisons on Saturday and Sunday.

“The feedback and response we got from the public means we have been proved right in what we were trying to achieve.

“It has been a really hard slog but now we are there.”