DANIELLE Guppy produced one of the bravest performances of her short career to finish third in the British Figure Skating Championships -- despite knowing her grandfather had suddenly died.

The 16-year-old Blackburn College student -- the youngest competitor in the championships -- dedicated her top three finish to her grandfather Albert Guppy, 76, who past away on the morning of her second programme.

Her mother Sylvia said: "We are all very proud of Danielle. Finding out her granddad had died while she was competing in the competition was very upsetting.

"Danielle did have the opportunity to pull out and we did think long and hard about it.

"She has worked very hard to get to the finals and decided to go on. We told her she had nothing to lose and she went out there and skated superbly.

"She was magnificent in the long programme and I am sure her granddad would have been very proud."

The Blackburn-born skater was lying in fourth place after the short programme before finding out news of her grandfather's untimely death.

But the reigning junior British figure skating champion gave an inspired performance in the long programme -- and in the end she was just 0.1 points away from finishing in second place.

Sylvia added: "A podium finish is beyond our wildest dreams. We had hoped for a top six finish at the best because this was Danielle's first senior competition."

Danielle finished behind eventual winner, reigning champion Zoe Jones, and Vicky Hodges but ahead of 1999 winner Tammy Sears.

Sylvia thanked her coach Steven Pickervance for all his hard work in guiding Danielle to her top three position.

The family are now hoping to raise funds to send Danielle to a special training camp for some of the world's top skaters in Austria in March.

Danielle, who is in the British Olympic ice skating squad for 2006, is also looking to compete in next year's Junior World Championships providing she can find he funding.

The family thanked Ray's Garage Supplies who handed over a cheque for £300 which was used to help fund the trip to the British championships.

Anyone who would like to help fund or sponsor Danielle Guppy should contact her parents Sylvia or Paul on 01254 678617.