TWO young members of a roller skating club have been selected to compete in the world championships.

Katie Beth Lodge, from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, the British junior free skating champion, and Redcar's Emma Gaffney, British senior champion for combined figure and free skating, are in the national squad for the competition in the US in November.

Janet Lodge, coach of the Durham and District Roller Skating Club, said: "We are honoured that not one, but two, members from our club will be flying the flag for Great Britain, and, in particular, the North-East.

"It is recognition of their dedication to their sport. They are both highly disciplined athletes."

It is a double celebration for the Shildon club, following successes at the National Roller Skating Championships in Stoke Mandeville last week.

Emma, 22, and Katie Beth, 19, both retained their titles as British champions.

Club member Lorna Gaffney, Emma's sister, held on to her title of British Junior Figure Skating Champion and Elise Hadgraft, who travels to the club from Stockport, retained her position as British Cadet Free Skating Champion.

All the skaters have been selected to represent Great Britain in the European Championships later this year.

The club is raising funds to help them travel to the European and world championships.

Anyone wishing to sponsor the girls is asked to contact Janet Lodge on (01325) 310399.