ROSSENDALE'S first Christmas ice skating event was a resounding success and will have helped plenty of local youngsters.

But today it emerged the event, providing free skating for 500 people on Boxing Day, almost failed to go ahead after £3,000-worth of industrial chemicals needed to maintain the rink was stolen.

The ice rink, set up at Haslingden Sports Centre to raise money for Rossendale Children's Day, was organised by international ice skaters Alexei Kislitsyn and Natalia Pestova.

But two days before, 1,500 litres of the anti-freeze disappeared from a tank outside.

Anti-freeze is used in the chiller unit which freezes the water.

Alexei and Natalia -- whose first child was imminent -- had taken a well earned break from the project on Christmas Eve after being there all day.

Alexei said: "1,500 litres of anti-freeze isn't something you can hide under your coat, so it must have been a well-planned operation.

"Fortunately the chiller rental company -- CRS of Preston -- was very understanding. We were worried because our budget was very tight and we barely cover costs.

"We still rely on people to help us, like Rossendale Lions who have supported us every year."

The event helped raise cash to take Rossendale's youngsters on an organised trip.