WHEN both your parents have been ice hockey champions, it's hardly surprising that skating – and winning – is in the blood.

And that's certainly the case for 13-year-old Jessica Urquhart and her nine-year-old brother Jack.

But what is different, is that brother and sister, who live in Carlton, are also British age-group champions at another ice discipline to go with their hockey honours.

They have just won national titles at the British speed skating championships – and that's a feat even mum and dad failed to achieve.

Father Mike is a former defenceman, captain and coach of Nottingham Panthers, his first club in the UK when he flew into the country in 1983 three years after they had re-formed.

After leaving Panthers three seasons later he played and coached in the lower leagues, winning titles with teams including Oxford, Cardiff, Guildford, Chelmsford and Livingstone in Scotland.

After hanging up his skates he became a highly-regarded international coach with the GB junior teams.

After returning to Nottingham and coaching the juniors, he was rewarded for his fine work by being inducted to the British Ice Hockey Hall of Fame in 2007, alongside other such Nottingham Panthers luminaries as Chick Zamick, Les Strongman, Archie Stinchcombe, Mike Blaisdell and Alex Dampier.

Mum Laura is no slouch either, playing for the Great Britain ladies team and winning British titles with her club sides as well as coaching junior teams.

She said: "I suppose Jess and Jack were born with ice in their blood!

"We are very proud of them both of course and they live for skating.

"Jack wants to play for the Panthers, like his dad, but I think Jess will go down the speedskating route.

"She's won league and national championships at hockey with Kingston girls.

"But she is also doing well internationally in speedskating."

In a prestigious junior international series, Jessica is currently lying sixth after the round in Sweden, with further rounds to come in Germany and Holland.

"Jess is looking to finish in the top eight to qualify for the 'super final' in Romania," added Laura.

"She already has a 1000m bronze medal to her name, so we are very hopeful.

"But whatever either of them decide to do, as long as they are happy, that is all that counts."