A TEENAGE skating star who has completed over a decade of success wants to encourage youngsters to follow in her footsteps.

Emma McConnachie has been skating for 11 years with the Waterfront Ice Skating Club and has scooped countless accolades.

As well as having starring roles in the club's annual Christmas shows, the 16-year-old is hoping to become a coach to teach younger members the skills she's developed.

The Inverclyde Academy pupil hopes that by sharing her passion for the sport, she can encourage other girls and young women to give it a go.

Emma, from Wemyss Bay, said: "I have been skating for most of my life and love it so much.

"I compete in competitions all over the UK and have been quite successful, winning awards at national competitions in places like Blackpool and Dundee.

"I would encourage anyone to try ice skating out.

"It's brilliant and the coaches are great in ensuring you can be the best you can be."

While the ice rink has been closed at the Waterfront Leisure Centre Emma and her parents - Lynn and Paul - have been travelling every weekend to Dundee to allow her to practice.

Emma, who wants to become a PE teacher, told the Tele: "It seems a long way to go but after not skating for so long during lockdown it is really worth the drive.

"All of the skaters are doing anything they can for a bit of normality.

"We have not been able to skate on our own rink since March, so we are all really missing it."

Proud parents Lynn and Paul not only have sporting star Emma in the family, but her older sister Rebecca is also a skating champion too.

Paul said: "The girls have been very successful in competitions over the years and we are really proud of everything they do.

"Emma has loved going to Dundee to practice as at the moment, we don't know when the skaters will get back on the ice at the Waterfront."