INTERNATIONAL roller skating stars went wheel to wheel as an artistic skating club hosted its annual competition.

The family and friends of members of the St Albans Artistic Roller Skating Club (Stars) gathered inside the Thomas Parmiter's Sports Centre, in High Elms Lane, Garston, for the yearly contest yesterday (Sunday).

Skaters from five to 15 years old first competed a technical routine before taking part in a solo dance and free skating category, all in front of a trio of judges from the Federation of Artistic Roller Skating.

Among them were Katie Smith, Jessica Mason, Scarlett Stanley and Lauren Gomez-Cullen, who have all represented Britain on the international skating circuit.

Sarah Palmer watched on as her daughter Courtney, nine, skated in front of the judges.

Sarah, from Weall Green, in Watford, said: “All the girls really build a team between them. There's different ages. They all support each other. They are really close knit. We do have a serious side but if they learn their 'edges', they will progress onto spins and jumps.

“They all really enjoy it. They've been doing it a long time.”

Sarah Cullen's daughter Lauren, now ten, has been skating for six years and has won a haul of medals at the British Championships in the past two years. She also competed in Croatia and Italy as part of the British national squad.

Sarah, who lives in Amersham, said: “She's got really good friends here and she does like the competitions.

“The achievement is really good. Then getting into the British squad was phenomenal. She doesn't want to drop it at all. She's making me bring her here three times a week to keep it up.”

Stars began in 1985 and currently has 28 senior members, with an additional beginners class.

Currently based at Bricket Wood Sports Centre, they will split their training between St Albans Girls' School and Marlborough School from March next year.

For more information about St Albans Artistic Roller Skating Club, visit www.starsskatingclub.com or telephone 01727 830332 or 01923 262486.