TELFORD’S last ever indoor ice event will feature the top six from the 2011 British Open.

Reigning champion Tony Atkin, who romped to the title with a 15 point maximum last February, will defend his crown at the Shropshire venue on Sunday, February 26 before taking up his National League duties with Stoke.

Runner-up Martin Smolinski, the German showman who is on the verge of a return to British racing, has already been confirmed as has Coventry’s Eddie Kennett who will make his comeback from suspension.

They’re joined by indoor specialist Aidan Collins, David Howe who finished fourth last year and Czech Republic showman Hynek Stichauer.

Telford’s 25th anniversary show will be the final staging of the hugely popular event as redevelopment work at the town centre rink will prevent the bikes taking to the ice in future.

Chief organiser Graham Drury said: “The general feeling around last year’s show was that it was one of the best in the history of the Telford ice meetings.

“For that reason we have decided to bring back the entertainers, the guys who put on such a great show for us last year and the top six from the British Open all readily agreed to come back.

“Because it’s the last one, we have had a lot of people wanting to put their name forward to ride in it and when you add the name of former champion Paul Hurry to the list already confirmed we are looking good.

“It’s going to be an emotional day. This is the 25th anniversary show and the last, we’ve had some fun down the years and I’m sure this will be no different.”

Drury is also appealing to Telford regulars to have their say on what interval attraction should be used in the final shows.

He said: “We’ve had many memorable attractions down the years and we want the supporters to decide which one we have this year.

“Who can forget the ‘human slug race’, the ‘bouncy boxing’, knife-thrower P J Junior, and so much more? Email us at telfordice@hotmail.co.uk and we will go with the most popular!”

The event features both afternoon and evening sessions with England Select v Rest of the World at 3pm followed by the British Open at 7.30pm.

Ticket details are as follows: Standing: Adults £15.50, children £5.50. Reserved seating £17.50 adults, £10.50 children. Credit card hotline 0845 155 9966 ext 0.

Postal applications with cheques payable to Telford Ice: 27 Upper Chirk Bank, Chirk, Wrexham LL14 5EB – include a SAE.