A WILMSLOW teenager is preparing to take on the world’s best in-line skaters having received a helping hand from the local community.

Molly Troup, 14, is a member of the UK Silverblades team that is preparing to take their largest ever team to the World In-line Skating Championships, which are being held in Cork, Ireland, starting on July 4.

This will not be Molly’s first time on the world stage, however, after making an impact in the same competition in France last year.

She competed in the junior ladies Division Four and finished fifth in a large category, but her score was high enough to move her up to Division Three for this year.

Molly’s mum Andrea bought her ice-skating lessons for her 10th birthday but admits she never imagined how much she would fall in love with the sport.

“At the time she had never skated before and we had no idea whether she would even like it,” she said.

“We couldn’t have predicted just how fast she would take off in the sport.”

Molly has been recognised as a Talented Young Athlete by Wilmslow Leisure Centre, which gives her access to vital extra training time outside of her time at the Altrincham-based Silverblades club.

Head coach Donna McCarthy says this has been valuable in helping her perfect her routine and improve both on in-line skates and on the ice.

“Molly is so dedicated and is working really hard,” she said.

“It’s been paying off with huge improvements in her jumps both on ice and on in lines recently.

“The extra practice time at Wilmslow Leisure Centre is what really has given her the opportunity to polish her programme.”