WHITEFIELD artistic skater Emma Thiele certainly looks to be on a roll after claiming a gold and silver at the Winter Solo Nationals in Kettering.

The 12-year-old St Monica's pupil was taking part in the bronze category open, competing against rivals up to 18 years old.

Yet she managed to win the solo dance element and finished runner-up in the freedance.

Emma's medal-winning exploits capped off a fantastic year for the youngster, who has earned two top-10 finishes in competitions across Europe while competing for Great Britain in the first year at her current age group.

She also finished in the top 10 at the British Championships.

"The Winter Solos feature the top skaters in the country and it is an open age group so I am really pleased with my results there," said Emma, who started skating when she was five and trains at the Bolton Artistic Roller Skating Club.

Competing against girls who are older is nothing new for Emma, who is one of the youngest in her skating group.

She has also been skating in an older age group on the international stage over the past year.

Emma added: "Competing against the older girls I can still get a bit nervous, but I have been skating for a long time now so I am used to it.

"The older girls know who I am now and treat me the same as they would any other skater."

While Thiele continues to impress on the national stage, her performances for the Great Britain team have also been earning her plaudits.

After stepping up to the under-13s category this year, the youngster finished ninth in a competition in Issy and seventh in Hertange.

"I competed for my country the first time in 2003 and since then I have done it seven or eight times," she added.

"All the European countries are of a really high standard, so it is great to test myself against skaters from Spain, Portugal, Italy and France.

"I managed to beat three really good skaters from France in my last tournament with GB so I was really pleased."

Emma will attempt to move up from the bronze level next year and has one big long-term ambition.

"Every skater dreams of one day competing at the World Championships," she said.

"We don't have Olympic recognition so that is the big one for me."