Youngsters who hope to become the next Torvill and Dean aim to put Bradford on the skating map.

Ice dancers Damien Holt, 18 and his partner, 17-year-old Kerry-Leanne Smith, with duo Harry Fisk, 15, and partner Stefanie Walker, 14, will compete in the ice dance classes in the British championships in Northern Ireland in November.

They and six young figure skaters from the area are taking part in the prestigious event which draws top competitors from across the country.

But first, the would-be stars will follow in the tracks of top skater Steven Cousins at an international training centre in Canada.

The teenagers are pupils of Kathryn Pritchard, British pairs champion in 1991 who competed in the European, world and Olympic games the following year.

She and her husband Keith Hudson, also a top skater, train the youngsters in Manchester in all categories of the sport.

But behind the glamour lies four hours' stringent training a day - coupled with dedication.

The youngsters will set off on September 4 for the Mariposa Ice Arena just outside Toronto for nearly three weeks' intensive training with six hours each day on the ice in preparation for the British championships.

The Bradford figure skaters - who will train on the rinks with international coaches, as well as Keith and Kathryn - are Michael Condon, 21, Gemma Kilgallon, 18, Ryan Thornton, 17, Sayna Telebi, 16, Becky Collet, 12, and Frankie Wilson, 11.

The skaters are hoping to raise funds to help pay for the training at a race night at the Transport Club at Sunbridge Road on Thursday. Keith and Kathryn will give tuition free while they are in Canada.

Damien's mother, Kath, of St Heliers, Baildon, said the Shipley College student never neglected the rigorous training sessions with Kerry, who comes from Sheffield.

Harry, 15, of Skipton, a pupil at Ilkley Grammar School, and Stephanie, 14, of Wibsey also fit in the journeys to Manchester for the lessons.

Harry and Corinne Jones, who was then his partner, won the British Novice under 16s championship two years ago.

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