Karen Barber knows exactly what it takes to become an international ice skater having skated at the highest level for more than a decade.

And now the former Olympian is doing her utmost to try and get local skaters from the barrier on to the international podium.

Blackburn Arena's director of coaching has been hard at work ever since the Arena opened in 1991 -- it fact, she and coaching husband Steven Pickervance were so eager they moved to Blackburn even before the doors opened!

"The Arena was due to open in November 1990 so that is when we moved across," recalled Manchester born Karen, now one of the countries highest qualified coaches.

"We had to wait a few months before it opened and it would be fair to say that we were one of the first on to the ice and we have stayed ever since."

So determine and dedicated is Karen about her work at Blackburn, she recently turned down a coaching opportunity with Christopher Dean in Colarado.

"It was nice to be offered the opportunity to work with Christopher but I love working in Blackburn. There are excellent facilities here and I am working with some very talented young skaters.

"I know exactly what it is like to be out on the ice. So it is quite a strange feeling being on the other side of the barrier."

It brings memories flooding back for Karen who progressed from primary to junior skater before making it as a senior and finally as an international skater.

Her pedigree is unquestionable.

Two Winter Olympics, seven World championships and seven European championships where, in 1984, she picked up a bronze medal with partner Nicky Slater -- the highlight of her ice skating career.

"It seems so long ago now when I talk about it but that was when we did our Charlie Chaplin routine which at the time really caught the imagination."

Know her goals are different.

Karen hopes her current crop of youngsters can follow in her glittering footsteps -- but she is first to point out that she is not a coach to rule with a rod of iron.

"Some coaches work that way but it is not the way Steven and myself do things. We work with a smile on our face and the best thing is to see skaters enjoying themselves out on the ice."

And it is not just the elite young skaters Karen and Steven turn their attentions to -- far from it.

For grandchildren to grandparents all get the same treatment whether they are skating competitively or just for fun.

And Karen knows all about the enjoyment skating can provide for, after retiring from competitive skating, she joined Torvill and Dean's world famous ice skating show.

"I travelled all around the world with Jane and Christopher and it was great fun."

After a two year stint with Torvill and Dean, Karen travelled Europe with the Holiday on Ice show before finally returning home and coaching.

Karen is just as competitive off the ice and she is on it -- and husband Steven can vouch for that.

She said: "Last year Steven and myself were both in the running for young ice skating coach of the year. Steven won it and I demanded a recount!"

Karen is a level four standard coach having previously taught skaters to a European standard. The Olympics and becoming a level five standard coach are now her personal aims for the future.

But she knows, to a certain extent, that coaches are only as good as the skaters they teach-- and in that aspect she is very lucky.

Karen, who in July will be the only women to attend an International Skating Union coaching session in Budapest as a moderator, is confident her young skaters can make the grade.

Dannielle Guppy is already a British junior champion and in her first every senior finals finished in third position.

The Blackburn youngster has already won the first senior skating competition of the season.

Karen also works closely with Novice International skate pair Lizzie Schofield from Wakefield and Blackburn's Jamie Burns.

Big things are also expected from Michelle Royds from Blackburn and partner Darren Powell who have been selected for Olympic squad training in Nottingham.

Young skaters Suzanne Jenkins, Hannah Carlin and Hazel Duckworth are also showing signs that they can go all the way. Karen said: "I can coach children but I need the children to coach. In that way I am very lucky.

"A lot of children travel a long way to train at Blackburn but there are an awful lot of local youngsters who are very good skaters."

Karen admits there is no secret to her success -- it is just down to hard work and team-work.

"It is a very good set-up at Blackburn and the Arena bosses do a lot to help us. I believe the facilities are second to none.

"Then of course there are the skaters and their parents. It is vital we get their support because we rely on them and we work as a team. I have competed at the highest level but to see one of my young skaters go from the barrier to the Senior British team would be the real highlight. "