Ryde Arena Community Action Group have stepped up their efforts to bring ice sports back to the Isle of Wight.

The group has formed a new company – Wight Ice Leisure Ltd – in a bid to acquire the derelict Ryde Arena building.

Investment firm AEW, which represents the leaseholder Bank of New York Mellon, closed the facility last October causing the demise of Wightlink Raiders ice hockey club.

RACAG’s Robina Marshall told Isle of Wight Radio: “The company has been created as the legal entity with which to trigger the Asset of Community Value moratorium.

“The Ryde Arena Community Action Group voted to do at the last meeting, and to conduct any negotiations with AEW and, if required, to raise funds towards an attempt to acquire the ice rink for the community.

“We have notified the Isle of Wight Council of our interest in being treated as a potential bidder and have received confirmation of this, which triggers the six-month moratorium.”