AS a toddler, Hollie Asquith appeared on the front page of The Bolton News after winning her first roller skating award.

Now at the age of 11, the talented skater has gone further and been crowned British Champion for Free Skating.

Hollie, who lives in Horwich, said: "I am very excited to be British Champion, it feels like a huge achievement.

"I knew that I had improved since last year, but you never know how the other skaters have improved until its championship day.

"I have been skating since I was two, I was on the front of The Bolton News.

"I love exciting music and enjoy choreographing, but mum always helps."

The achievement at the competition in Kettering means Hollie will now also compete in European championships later this year.

"I am really happy that I was selected, as I have only been to different places in France for competitions and this year I get to go to Italy, she said.

Hollie, who attends Bolton School, started skating after being inspired by her mum Nina, a teacher at Bolton Artistic Roller Skating Club, who is also the youngster's coach.

And the schoolgirl juggles her skating with her studies and other interests.

She said: " I skate for 10 hours a week, but six for free skating and four for dance, although I sometimes miss dance lessons on a Tuesday when I have homework.

"We skate in a school, so I sit in a classroom to do it.

"I also have to go to the rink on Saturdays and Sundays all day as mum teaches.

"So I sit in the classrooms with other friends, and we all do our homework."

The year six pupil has now been selected for Solo Dance at the European Championships in Bologna, Italy in November.

And she has been asked if she would also like take part in an international competition in Hettange, France in October.