CASH strapped ice skaters are appealing for sponsorship in a bid to rescue what could be a unique display sport.

Each week The Fuzzy Ducks take to the ice for an hour's rehearsal before whizzing about Britain and the rest of Europe to show off their skills.

But there's a reason why these dancers are in demand - they may be the world's only ice dance team to twirl batons at the same time. Says trainer John Holden: "To the best of my knowledge we are the only people in the world to do it. The idea came about many years ago when I was watching the Lytham Club Day parade.

"I saw a baton twirling team and it struck me that it would be good idea to apply that to the ice."

John, who at the time trained one of three teams from the Blackpool Ice Figure Skating Club, tried it out with some of his girls but just as it was coming together they moved up into the next age group which was trained by someone else.

It was at that point, last September, that John decided to set up a troupe specifically for his idea and thus The Fuzzy Ducks were hatched. Alison Robinson was responsible for training them from the waist up while John sorted out the dance routines, which range from the big band sound to one in the style of Lord of the Dance.

"We take part in exhibitions and galas and have been invited to perform at the British Ice Skating Championships in Northern Ireland in November which is great," he said.

"The problem is we are desperate for cash. It costs us £50 an hour to rehearse and the costumes are all hand-me-downs from the figure skating teams. People are amazed whenever they hear about what we do and it would be a real shame if we couldn't continue."

Anyone who can offer cash sponsorship in any way is asked to contact John on (01253) 794322.

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