THERE will be no Basingstoke Open ice skating championships this summer because the host club were unable to obtain approved judges.

When Basingstoke Ice Skating Club applied to run this year's competition, they were given dates in July by the National Ice Skating Association (NISA) which clashed with another event in Telford.

This meant the club could not get enough officials for the competition, which is widely hailed as one of the largest and best-run in the south of England.

The club reapplied and were given new dates in September, which this time clashed with another competition in Streatham.

In the end, the club were forced to postpone the event this year, but have fixed a date for 2005, to avoid the same problem again.

The Basingstoke Open requires 10 hours of ice time a day, which is why it is staged outside the peak summer period, when the arena is used for special holiday promotions.

Mike Downer, chairman of Basingstoke Ice Skating Club, said: "It is very disappointing that we have been forced to cancel this year's Open. We did not really have any option.

"If we are unable to get the officials, we cannot hold an accredited event.

"But, having the date already for 2005 should make sure that this does not happen again."

The competition will return from June 28 to July 1 next year.

But, this year, local ice skaters will have to travel in search of national championship-qualifying events.