GLIDING across the skating rink, three-year-old Harlee Wicks moves with the confidence and ability of a skater twice his age. Having only put on a pair of rollerskates for the first time four months ago, Harlee has amazed parents Donna and Glenn Wicks with his quick grasp.

GLIDING across the skating rink, three-year-old Harlee Wicks moves with the confidence and ability of a skater twice his age.

Having only put on a pair of rollerskates for the first time four months ago, Harlee has amazed parents Donna and Glenn Wicks with his quick grasp. And the youngster has become popular with spectators at RetroskateGY based at the Marina Centre, in Great Yarmouth.

Proud Donna, 26, said: “When he skates in the public sessions people are amazed because he skates really fast. He is one of the youngest skaters there and he just loves it. He says he goes 'super fast'.”

The toddler is following in his parents' footsteps for both Donna and Glenn have been skating for more than 20 years and both at a competitive level. In his younger days Glenn, now 40, was a double gold medallist standard, the highest grade skaters can achieve.

And it seems the skating bug is going to hit the whole family with two-year-old daughter Fraia already taking to the rink to skate.

Donna said: “We haven't pushed them into it. We bought Harlee his first pair of skates when he was two but he wasn't into it but now he has taken a really big interest in skating.

“You can't get him off the rink some days, he just loves going round to the music, and it keeps him fit and healthy.”

Last week Harlee stunned staff at Retroskate, which opened in May, by passing his Grade Two FARS (Federation of Artistic Roller Skating) showing off his talents of skating backwards and balancing on one leg.

“Harlee is now working towards his Grade Three - there are six grades in total,” explained Donna. “The other week we had some Great Britain squad skaters at Retroskate and they were spinning and jumping in the air and Harlee asked when did I think he will be able to do it.”

Harlee has an hour lesson once-a-week and skates three times a week. He is one of about 100 people, from children to adults, who have achieved a FARS grade in the last five weeks at Retroskate, of which his parents are directors, along with Gaynor and Phillip Read.