A TEENAGE ice skater is taking part in her first major competition this weekend, just a year after first stepping onto the ice.

Hannah Eastwood, 15, had never skated until a disco night at Bradford Ice Arena ignited her passion for ice dancing.

Her only previous experience had been ice skating on a video game, but since then she has progressed rapidly through the ranks. She was almost immediately judged to be a Level 4 skater, and rapidly progressed to Level 7.

She is now competing in the British Synchronised Skating Championships this weekend at Nottingham's National Ice Centre, as part of ten-person skating group Team Emerald.

Hannah trains every Friday with the team, either out on the ice or in a dance studio for strength and flexibility training.

She was asked to join Team Emerald after catching their eye with her rapid progress, and is not working towards her Gold award and the National Ice Skating Association of Great Britain award.

This will be her first ice skating competition, but she is no stranger to the competitive arena having previously been a ballet dancer, gymnast and trampolinist.

Synchronised skating sees teams of between eight and 20 skaters perform together as a team on the ice, moving as one at high speed while performing complicated footwork.

The Tong Leadership Academy student is also hoping to take part in solo competitions in the future, and already has one eye on a professional career in the sport.

She said: “I’m so excited about competing in the British Championships.

“I’m very nervous but I am really looking forward to it. I just love the feeling of freedom being on the ice.

“My mum and dad have been so supportive of my skating taking me to training every week, so I feel like all my hard work and their commitment has really paid off.”

Daniel Styles, principal of Tong Leadership Academy, added: “We are all incredibly proud of Hannah as she makes her debut at the British Synchronised Skating Championships.

"We encourage our students to show excellence not just in their education but also in their passions and to follow their dreams outside of school.

"Hannah has shown tremendous commitment and maturity managing both her newly found passion for ice skating and schoolwork. We are all rooting for her to bring home a medal.”