SILVER Blades in Altrincham is running its Skating Stars competition again, following its success last year.

The event at the Altrincham rink is designed to give youngsters the opportunity to learn how to skate.

It is open to children aged between 8 to 14 who are beginner skaters.

Silver Blades Altrincham will be opening its doors on Saturday May 7 from midday to select 15 youngsters to take part in the return of ‘Skating Stars’.

The selection process is open to young people with no previous ice skating experience.

Each of the 15 contestants will be issued with an unlimited skating pass and enrolled on a six-week skating course. After that period there will be a selection process to take the 15 down to 10, and then after a further six weeks the 10 will be taken down to five finalists.

Silver Blades Altrincham is then planning a finals night gala where each of the five skaters will skate two short pieces supported by skating from the coaches at the rink, and maybe a celebrity skater or two.

On the finals night, a winner and a runner up will be selected. Both skaters will receive a voucher to put towards a brand new pair of skates with the winner also receiving a year’s free unlimited ice skating and the opportunity of featuring in an ice show.

To be involved, go to www.silver-blades.co.uk and fill out the online application when this goes live from 9am, April 25. Applications need to be in by 5pm, May 4 to guarantee an opportunity at the selection process.