TWO girls from Warrington warmed up for their appearances in the World Open Inline Figure Skating Championships this summer with impressive displays for Great Britain in Italy.

Amy Nelson, 14, from Lymm won a gold medal at the Diamond Skate Trophy in Dollo, Venice, while Olivia Smith-Hughes, nine, from Stretton finished fifth out of 13 performers in her first international competition.

They were among skaters from the UK Silverblades team in Altrincham doing their country proud in a fast growing new sport.

Competitors have wheels on their boots and perform routines with all the jumps, spins and fancy footwork expected of an ice skater.

Head coach Donna McCarthy said: “Both girls skated so well I am incredibly proud.

“Now we can take the judges’ comments and work on them in our regular training sessions.

“We had an amazing competition and are psyched for the worlds in Cork in a few weeks’ time.”

The Warrington girls shared the rink in Venice with 140 other skaters from seven countries.

Amy was skating for the first time in junior ladies division three, having earned her move up to this group when she won at the world championships last year.

In a beautiful programme she landed all her jumps despite the increase in technicality.

Olivia, a comparative novice to the sport, performed fantastically well and loved the whole experience, standing her in good stead for the world championships at the Mardyke Sports Arena in Cork, Ireland, on July 4 and 5.

Unfortunately, Amy has had a nasty fall in training since her return from Venice and a visit to hospital confirmed she has suffered tendon damage in her fingers.

Despite the heavily bandaged hand, she got straight back into training in a show of determination to be ready for the worlds in six weeks’ time.

Watch the video of the club trip, including the Warrington girls' routines, below: