A PINK ice rink plan by Salford council has been blocked . . . for 48 hours. Members upset about £185,000 being spent on the Christmas attraction voted 4 to 3 against it.

But council leader John Merry hit at the `Scrooge councillors' and vowed to push it through a full council meeting tomorrow.

The rink idea was `called in' by Tory and Liberal Democrat opposition councillors and a scrutiny committee voted against it. But it is expected that ruling Labour councillors will now be ordered to vote in favour.

The Labour group has 36 out of 60 councillors and unless there is a rebellion, the rink on lawns outside the town hall at Swinton will be approved. It will be coloured magenta, to match the city's corporate image.

A report says it will be open for 35 days from December 6, with each session lasting 45 minutes. The average ticket will cost £5.

Last year, 7,000 skaters were attracted and a report says a target of 7,500 has been estimated for this year.

Despite 30 approaches to private firms, no sponsorship has been secured.

Instead, £26,000 will come from Urban Vision - the council's planning department - Salford Primary Care Trust, and City West Housing Trust. If usage is the same as last year, it will earn £37,500.

Liberal Democrat councillor Steve Cooke said it highlighted `how this council operates - they thrust through what they want in the face of any opposition'.

Tory leader Karen Garrido said: "I am not convinced it can make a profit or break even."

But Coun Merry said: "If we don't have it, the message we would be sending out is that Manchester can have Christmas . . . but Salford can't."