IT S been 30 years since Sheila Young stepped out onto the ice, and a trip to Sandringham s seasonal attraction yesterday brought the memories flooding back. The 71-year-old from Terrington St Clement learned to skate as a young lady before becoming a pro

IT'S been 30 years since Sheila Young stepped out onto the ice, and a trip to Sandringham's seasonal attraction yesterday brought the memories flooding back.

The 71-year-old from Terrington St Clement learned to skate as a young lady before becoming a professional ice dance teacher at London's Queens rink in the 1950s.

In 1954 she claimed her first ever British Professional Ice Dance Championship, which she then held for three years in a row, before leaving the sport to study nursing.

Mrs Young continued to skate for fun but finally hung up her skates in the late 1970s, deciding it was 'a young person's game.'

"I may have been mistaken though," she said, after her hour-long session at the royal estate yesterday.

The former champion thoroughly enjoyed her return to the rink, which she shared with eight-year-old protege Charlotte Ketteringham.

"Every time I see someone skating on the television, my feet start itching to do it again," she said. "But all the rinks are so far away - the nearest is at Peterborough."

When Mrs Young heard about the plans for a festive facility at Sandringham she immediately got in touch.

"She called and asked if we were offering a discount for seniors," said Sandringham's Helen Walch. "We thought that was great."

The former champion passed on hints and tips to eight-year-old Charlotte, who has taken to the ice for the first time.

"She enjoyed it very much and picked it up very quickly," said Mrs Young. "She has now said she would like to go to the big rink at Peterborough, and I might just give that a go as well - I still have my skates at home after all.