IT’S never too late to chase your dreams – and that’s exactly what they are doing at Blackburn Blades Ice Skating Club.

Adult skaters are lacing up their boots, climbing on to the ice and taking part in regional and national competitions.

Some are reliving their youth and lost childhoods while others are sampling the delights of ice skating for the first time.

Either way, the dashing Blades are having a great time.

The club, which was only formed in February, caters for the young and old, with skaters aged four to 70-years-old taking part in weekly training sessions at Black-burn Arena.

While the Blades boast a membership of around 270 skaters, an impressive third of them are adults – one of whom has just been crowned a British champion.

And Alex Brocken says that if she can do it, then anyone can – although it is fair to say that she has worked hard for what she has achieved.

“You do have to be dedicated and prepared to get up at silly o’clock to get on the ice,” said the 28-year-old. “But if I can do it then anyone who is prepared to work hard can do it too.”

Brocken only took up skating to make friends but, as is usually the case, was completely hooked after her first ice time.

“I had just returned from university in London and had kind of lost touch with a lot of people. So I was looking at doing something to meet people again.”

And, as many skaters from across the North West do these days, Brocken was bound for Blackburn.

“I live in Wigan but Blackburn is one of the best, if not the best, ice skating venues around.

“I can get there in about 35 minutes but, saying that, I am travelling at 5am in the morning!

“It is a great venue to train at and I love travelling over there, despite it being so early.”

Brocken is coached by Amanda Galloway, one of a number who all work under head coach Dawn Spend-love Woodbridge – the former coach of British senior pairs champions, Chorley’s Stacey Kemp and David King.

Brocken only took up skating five years ago, has been coached for the last three and recently entered the British Adult Skating Championships in Sheffield – her first competition of any kind – and promptly won her class.

“I didn’t really know what I was up against but I went there looking to win a medal because I am pretty competitive,” said Brocken who won the pre Bronze class. “But to win gold was absolutely brilliant.”

Brocken is also part of the Misfits – perhaps the name stems from their first tentative steps on to the ice – who will take part in the British Adult Synchro Championships in Dumfries next month.

“That is a bit of fun,” added Brocken. “We do train hard but it’s good working in a team and I am looking forward to performing in front of a crowd.”

Brocken admits the introduction of ITV’s Dancing On Ice has helped increase the number of adults taking to the ice for the first time.

“You see it,” she said. “Everytime it comes on, you see more adults down at the rink. But that can only be a good thing.”

Blades pair James Healey and Jackie Wilding have taken it one step further, replicating the daring moves the celebs try out on a Saturday night.

Woodbridge Spendlove, who who has coached at the Arena for 21 years, is delighted with the Blades progress.

She said: “I coach many of the Blades and, along with Jenny Holgate, coach the Misfits Syncro team.

“They train at 6am ever Friday morning and have beenworking together for a year. We have a large number of adults skaters that are members of Blackburn Blades and it is so good to see them progressing and taking part in competitions.

“Alex has worked hard and her achievements are fantastic. We are all very proud of her and I am sure James and Jackie will follow in her footsteps.”