ROLLER skating king Craig Williams hopes to play in the World Junior Inline Hockey Championships in Chicago at the end of the month - after being selected for the Great Britain squad.

But the team's participation is in doubt due to lack of a main sponsor and 15-year-old Williams from Burnley will find out only at the last minute whether the side can go.

Williams, a pupil at Burnley's Ivy Bank High School, is hopeful of joining the squad of 20 players and taking part in the inaugural junior tournament.

"I'm delighted to have been picked but there's still a cloud hanging over whether we'll go," he said.

"A further £10,000 is required if the team is to make it over to Chicago and with just three weeks to go, we are fast running out of time.

"We've raised close to £10,000 already with various sponsored events. "Hopefully, the rest of the cash can be raised to ensure our entry in the tournament."

Ivy Bank High School has been instrumental in raising vital funds and student manager Mr Neil O'Connor is appealing for sponsors to come forward.

"We are trying to help with the cost of the trip because it is a fantastic achievement by Craig," said Mr O'Connor.

"To represent your country at anything is special and we want to do all we can to help make that happen for him."

Inline hockey has its origins in America where it enjoys a popular following.

It is much like ice and roller hockey - played on a rink with the same dimensions and covered with roll-on plastic coating - but wearing boots with wheels in a line.

Each team has four on-surface players as well as a goalkeeper.

With the added space, it is every bit as fast as ice hockey, which young Craig plays with the Manchester Storm Under 16s.

"One day I'd like to pursue a career in either inline or ice hockey," he said.

"Competing in this tournament in the States would be a fabulous start."

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