Luke Smallman followed his father's tracks into speed skating and has now surpassed him by becoming a British Champion.

The Hartlepool 13-year-old took the pee-wee category (Under-14) title in Nottingham where he came up against opposition from across the country.

Racing in 222 metres, 333m and 500m races, Luke (pictured below) successfully came through heats, quarter finals and semis before clinching what is easily his most satisfying victory since taking up the sport.

Before the championship, Luke was not considered the favourite with London club Aldwych providing the main contenders.

Father Clive, who tasted similar success as part of a Teesside relay squad who won a national title in the 1978, said: "He's been skating for three of four years now, competing regularly. He's won competitions before and he's come second and third or whatever but this is the biggest one he's won.

"He wants to go as far as he possibly can."

Luke is unable to get ice time to train at Billingham or Whitley Bay, which means a regular jaunt to Sheffield's ice rink.

A pupil at High Tunstall School, Hartlepool, Luke trained with the British junior squad last weekend as a result of his performance at Nottingham Ice Arena.

Clive hopes this will enable Luke to progress even further when he moves up to compete in the Juvenile age group from September this year.