A BIRTHDAY gift of some skating lessons given to a South Craven School pupil two years ago has led to her entering the world of synchronised skating.

Lucy Shuttleworth, who is in Year 9, is now training for her Silver Skate UK badge and is part of Team Bradford Brilliance. She was recently made vice-captain of the squad.

A South Craven School spokesman said: “In the two years Lucy has been skating, she has gone from wobbly beginner to confident skater.

“She trains weekly at the Bradford ice rink and recently took part in the National Championships against 50 other teams at the National Ice Rink in Nottingham.

“This was the first venture into the competitive world of skating for Lucy and her team. They had only recently completed their routine, and although they were unplaced, they were excited by the experience of going up against teams who had been competing for years.”