PARENTS of the North's young ice skating stars are taking drastic action so their children can follow in the footsteps of ex-champion skater Joanne Conway.

A lack of suitable ice rinks in the region forced one Peterlee family to move to Hull so their promising daughter can continue her training.

Andrew and Jayne Murray sold their £100,000 home at a loss so eight-year-old Toni could enjoy the best facilities.

Toni is ranked second in her age group, but closures or refurbishment work at the region's rinks meant lots of late nights and early mornings as she travelled hundreds of miles to train.

Mrs Murray said: "We were just finding it so hard to find Toni any ice to skate on. Her training was suffering and we were getting absolutely desperate. Selling up and moving away seemed to be the only option."

Martin Hamilton and partner Angela, of Fulford Park, Sunderland, are also considering selling up to boost 11-year-old daughter Olivia McCoy's Olympic hopes.

Olivia is member of the British squad and has been tipped to take part in the winter games of 2006.

Her training was severely disrupted by the closure of Sunderland's Crowtree ice rink, which began leaking into shops below. Work to plug the leaks will not be completed until February 2001, forcing the family to contemplate a move.