A REPORT on the feasibility of building an ice rink in Bexley is to be delayed to allow councillors more time to gather information.

A cabinet advisory group was due to submit its findings to the leisure, arts and tourism scrutiny sub-committee in May.

But the group has agreed it has many questions still unanswered and experts whose advice it wants to hear.

And the group discovered plans to use the council's TalkBack panel have been dropped by council chiefs.

The group had wanted to use the panel to get an idea of opinion in the borough about a rink.

And the panel was to have been a major plank of the group's public consultation on the issue.

Group chairman Councillor Matthew Scott said: "We were disappointed the ice rink questionnaire would not go to the TalkBack panel.

"After talking with the council leader, Councillor Ian Clement, he felt canvassing the whole of the borough would be more appropriate.

"I am delighted we are going to get a feature and the questionnaire in the next Bexley Magazine.

"This will go to all 94,000 homes in the borough instead of just the 1,000-strong TalkBack panel."

Meanwhile, hundreds of people have used News Shopper's website to fill in a questionnaire giving their views on the proposal.

Answers so far show the idea is hugely popular and people would be prepared to travel, would use a rink regularly and would pay up to £6.

Group members have been visiting a number of other rinks to look at how they are run and who owns them.

They will also look at pricing and profitability levels; what activities they offer; their size and how they have been financed.

The latest rinks to come under the spotlight were the contrasting venues in Romford and Chelmsford.

Despite being built 20 years ago, members were impressed with Romford's rink, which is built on the edge of town with its own car park.

It is run by ice professionals and offers a range of activities and ice-themed events for all ages as well as an ice hockey team and skating lessons.

The rink also boasts seating for 1,200 people and has two bars, a restaurant and facilities for club meetings and children's parties.

It attracts up to 900 skaters for public skating and young people queue around the block for tickets to its foam parties on ice. It also makes a profit.

Members agreed Romford and the Lee Valley rink, which they visited last year, were the sort of facility which would suit Bexley.

The group plans to use the Bexley Youth Council to canvass opinion among young people.