AN ELEVEN-year-old girl says her dream to compete as an ice-skater in the 2012 Olympics will be shattered unless Bournemouth gets an ice rink soon.

Ria Herridge of Shelley Close, Highcliffe, says she would need to train three times a week but the nearest available ice rink is 52 miles away in Gosport.

The BIC rink is not an option as it is only there three months of the year.

Ria has now written to Bournemouth Borough Council's head of tourism, Mark Smith, in a bid to urge the council to move forward with the ice rink scheme.

And the determined schoolgirl was also out in Bournemouth Square at the weekend asking shoppers to sign a petition to make the rink a reality.

She wrote: "Please, please help me. I am 11 years old and am enquiring about the Bourne-mouth ice rink. I just don't understand what is going on.

"My dream is to be an ice skater in the Olympics 2012 but I can't compete in it if we don't have an ice rink.

"Why should this be an option for all other people in the UK but not for people living in Dorset?

"I am going to get a list of names starting this Saturday in Bourne-mouth centre and prove to you that this is what the children of Bournemouth want."

Mum Helen described Ria and her friends as "passionate" about ice skating but said it was impossible to transport Ria to Gosport three times a week.

She said: "She's been out in Bournemouth this morning and got 100 names. She is quite a good skater. She loves it with a passion and wants to take it further.

"When the ice rink is at the BIC she spends a lot of time there.

"I just feel if they want to do it they should be given the opportunity."

Cllr John Beesley, deputy leader of the council, said: "It is part of the town-centre master vision and we are looking at all activities for all other family attractions and an ice rink may be one of those.

"Nothing has been ruled in and nothing has been ruled out."

Cllr Ron Whittaker commended Ria's actions and urged other young people in the area to make their views about the ice rink known.

He added: "My biggest fear is how many more years will we have to wait to see an ice rink facility in this town.

"It's quite appalling. We were all ready to go in November this year but since the change in administration all that has been put on ice."