A TALENTED rollerskater from Redcar has been selected to take part in the World Artistic Rollerskating Championships in California in October.

Emma Gaffney, 24, who has skated since she was seven, will also perform at the European Artistic Rollerskating Championships in Switzerland in September.

Miss Gaffney, a dental nurse, retained her British Senior Combined Champion title for the third year at the British Senior Championships in Aylesbury earlier this month, after coming first in the senior figure section and third in the free section.

Her 18-year-old sister, Lorna, who is waiting for her A-level results from Prior Pursglove College in Guisborough, came third in the senior figure section.

The sisters travel to Shildon, Co. Durham, three days a week for lessons.

Their mother, Sheila, plans to do the Coast-to-Coast cycle ride this summer to help to raise money for Emma to go to California.

She said: "It's a dream come true. We're all very excited. It was lovely to see both daughters on the rostrum at the same time for the figure section.

"Artistic rollerskating is much the same as iceskating. All the jumps are the same.

"But it's a very expensive hobby - I make their costumes myself, which helps a bit."

Anyone who would like to help Emma with sponsorship to go to the World Championships is asked to telephone (01642) 475947.