LAURA Freeman will be flying the flag for Basingstoke ice skaters at the British Championship at Ice Sheffield.

The 16-year-old from Bramley will be hoping to break into the top 10 in the Junior Ladies competition for skaters aged under 19.

Last year at Nottingham, Freeman finished 11th overall after a great short programme had seen her power up to fourth after the first day of competition.

The teenager opens her bid to move up the ranking on Wednesday with the short programme and then the following day will skate her free programme.

The Queen Mary’s College student will face stiff competition as Charlotte Robbins from America will be returning to defend her crown and is one of two Americans in the field along with Stephanie Rigley. There is also Canadian-trained skater Sarah Rodgers is also in the line-up.

Freeman has enjoyed a great year with her best result being in a Deeside IJS in October, when she finished sixth in the short programme and a creditable eighth overall.

Freeman is trained by Jenny Woolford at the Basingstoke Arena and also works on and off the ice with ballet teacher Lisa Beaumont.

Woolford said: “Laura is really dedicated and her training has been going really well. I see no reason why she will not improve on where she finished last season.”

Ahead of the Championships, the teenager has been boosted by the news that she has been selected by the National Ice Skating Association to skate at the Dragon Trophy in Slovenia.