SCORES of skilful skaters “rolled out” their talents for Bolton’s second annual artistic roller skating championships.

The event was hosted by Bolton Artistic Roller Skating Club and was held at Smithills School — with 177 skaters taking part in the two-day event.

Contestants aged from six to 80 performed solo routines as well as team routines in a bid to land one of the trophies on offer.

The event was organised by Nina Asquith, the coach and founder of Bolton Artistic Roller Skating Club, whose eight-year-old daughter Hollie is a British champion.

Mrs Asquith, who is originally from Kent but moved to Horwich 10 years ago, said: “It has been a really successful event - we have had teams competing from as far as Jersey and others from Kent, Leicester and Wales.

“Everyone involved in skating is really passionate about it. Once you get involved you just love it.”

Contestant Sophia Burns, aged 21, from the Bolton club said: “I have been skating for 10 years, but I am still feeling quite nervous ahead of my performance.

“Roller skating is a great form of exercise but it’s also a great way of meeting people — it’s a real community.”

The Bolton Artistic Roller Club, which currently trains for 15 hours through the week at Kearsley Academy, is run by parents who volunteer their time.

One such volunteer is Steven Thiele, who is chairman of the group, and his daughter Emma, a British champion, was taking part over the weekend.

He said: “Emma skates four times a week and I have given up going to the football to be involved — but if I’m honest I get a lot more out of this. It is well worth it - she just loves it.”

Anyone interested in trying out roller skating is invited to a public session at Kearsley Academy on Saturday from 11am until 1pm.