HUNDREDS of young roller-skaters could lose the only indoor arena on the Fylde Coast ... without a cash lifeline.

Hangar 51, in Holly Close, Thornton, has appealed for financial support from councils and businesses, but so far without success.

Run by brothers Ross and Greg Nutton, Hangar 51 opened in a former warehouse last summer, its mix of ramps, jumps, music, videos and refreshments attracting 900 members on the wave of the craze for in-line skating.

But the winter months brought a drop in use and despite new members joining every week, the enterprise is now under threat "We've been in touch with every council on the coast, we've changed into a non-profit-making club, but so far without success," said Ross Nutton.

"We need help to build Phase 2 and to improve the existing ramps. Ours is the only indoor facility on the coast and all the councils say it's just what's neded.

"We have a good record for supervision and injuries, but so far no-one's come up with any backing.

"If we don't get help soon we'll have to close."

Parents had been very positive, he said: "They think it's a great idea.

"They drop off their kids, go and have lunch and pick them up later, but we need the members to use it more often if we're to survive."

Wyre leisure and tourism officer Tom Pridmore said: "Hangar 51 is a valuable facility which has provided young people with somewhere to meet and skate.

"The facility is run privately as a local business and on that basis the council is not in a position to invest public money.

"I am not aware of any local authority directly investing into privately-run skating parks although I understand some have received public money from regional development type grants."

He had put the owners in contact with groups and organisations and continued to promote Hangar 51.

He had not heard that Hangar 51 had become a non-profit making club, but if it had, he said, new funding opportunities may be available and they would be happy to assist.

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