Campaigners and supporters turned out on Monday to protest the continued closure of the Three Towns’ only ice rink.

Children, parents and members of the ice sports community called on KA Leisure to reconsider their plan to keep the rink closed until next year, with it instead being used to house fitness equipment.

Dawn Lamberton set up the protest which saw figure skaters don their costumes and hockey players strap on their pads.

She told the Herald: “I just felt nobody was listening to us.

“They’re not justifying it. They’re not backing themselves up with numbers.

“I thought, let’s show them.”

Dawn’s daughter plays ice hockey, inspired by her dad who plays with the Flyers at Auchenharvie.

Dawn said the sport is great for her and it has always been part of their family.

She said she can’t believe what is happening with the rink.

She said: “It’s crazy. I was a member with KA leisure, I used to go the gym three to four times a week, and I did all the classes.

“I’ve cancelled my membership because I’m disgusted with what has happened. Not at the staff, the staff are fantastic.

“There’s no way I could go on to that rink to run on a treadmill when I know it’s been taken away from the kids.”

KA Leisure held a board meeting last week where reopening of the facilities was discussed, but Auchenharvie rink remains closed with no plans to reinstate the ice announced.

North Ayrshire Council and KA Leisure have released plans for the phased re-opening of facilities but say they ‘continue to explore how we can safely restart [activity]...on the ice rink at Auchenharvie’.

Responding to a question on social media, KA Leisure said: “We’re currently reviewing the reopening of the ice rink with North Ayrshire Council. We will provide updates when available.”

Gary Higgon, Chairman of KA Leisure, said: “The lockdown period has been an anxious time for all involved in the leisure industry throughout the whole of the country.

“During this period, KA Leisure staff have been actively involved in all aspects of ensuring the safety of our customers and staff when reopening of facilities commences. With the recent guidance offered by the Scottish Government, our Board-approved plans are now able to be implemented across sites throughout North Ayrshire in a phased manner.

“Whilst it is recognised that certain operational constraints will be necessary to ensure customer safety, the public may be assured that our aim is to ensure the provision of the high quality service that we have in the past, especially at this time when remaining active is so important to everyone.”

Council Leader Joe Cullinane said: “We know just how important these facilities are to our local communities and that’s why we are doing everything in our power not just to re-open services, but to re-open them safely.”