BLACKBURN Arena skating ace Emily Louise Brown has been tipped for the top by ITV’S Dancing on Ice star Mark Hanretty.

The 13-year-old was crowned the Junior British Ice Dance Champion and Hanretty who coaches the Lancashire schoolgirl with Keith and Kathryn Hudson said: “I have seen few girls with as much talent and natural aptitude for ice dance as Emily.

“She can go all the way to the summit of her sport."

Emily Louise, who began skating after a trip to the ice rink at Blackpool when she was seven years old, said: “It is a dream come true.

“I’m so proud to have won.”

Hundreds of young skaters entered the national competition, staged at Sheffield and hosted by the National Ice Skating Association, but it was talented Emily Louise who claimed the glory after a spectacular performance on the rink.

Her proud mother Esther said: “Emily Louise only celebrated her 13th birthday last month.

“She was the youngest girl there by a mile, it was an under-16 competition and she beat a lot of older girls.

“I was so proud of her performance and all the hard work she has put in.”