QUEEN of the rink Karen Davison is getting her skates on in the hope of achieving an honours degree in sport science.

The 21-year-old, of Marton, Middlesbrough, does have practical knowledge of sport - as British roller skating champion.

She is ranked third in Europe and fifth in the world. Her next challenge is the British championships in July, followed by the Europeans in Sicily.

Karen, who has travelled to competitions all over the world, said: "I get such a sense of personal achievement out of skating and even though it's a minority sport I'd love to make a career out of it.''

She is in the first year of her BSc (hons) sport science course at the University of Teesside, in Middlesbrough.

Karen trains for 10 hours a week in Middlesbrough and Shildon under the supervision of coach and former British champion Paul McIlhone.