ICE skaters could find themselves in a cold war as rival plans are drawn up for a new rink.

Although Altrincham Ice Rink is set for closure, British success in the winter Olympics has renewed local interest in the sport.

Manchester Storm ice hockey boss Gary Cowan was the first to reveal his ambition to keep a hi-tech stadium in the area. His side play competitive games at the M.E.N. Arena but train at Altrincham.

Now former British ice dance champion Nicky Slater, whose Olympic coach mum Joan teaches at Altrincham, has produced a rival scheme.

His company Adventure! On Ice wants to set up a rink in Greater Manchester and he has met Trafford council leader Coun David Acton to discuss the scheme.

The present owners, the Thompson family, want to sell the Altrincham site for housing. But Trafford Council will not grant planning permission unless another rink is built.

Mr Slater, who has produced televised ice skating shows in America, said: ''Recently we started looking at what could be done to make a difference to skating in this country.

''We were thinking of Manchester as a target area when it was announced that Altrincham was closing.

''We have met Trafford Council and the National Ice Skating Association. Now we really need people to help fund it. Our hope is that it will be a community-based facility.''

He is planning to meet Mr Cowan to discuss the rival schemes and said it is uncertain at this stage whether the two groups could work together.

''We are not averse to working with anybody to make it happen but I think there is room for two ice rinks in Manchester,'' he added.

Meanwhile, Mr Cowan, who bought Manchester Storm last year, said he is still going ahead with his plans to build a new ice stadium and has drawn up detailed schemes.

His possible sites are near the Trafford Centre, Castlefield and the Commonwealth Games site at Eastlands.

Barratt Homes last week submitted a planning application to build 71 houses on the Altrincham site. Trafford Council said there was a condition attached to the site stating there could be no other development there until a new rink was built in Trafford.