WIVENHOE figure skater Ed Appleby will head into the New Year ranked first in the Advanced Novice Men's national rankings.

Despite being the youngest in his age group, he is top of the National Ice Skating Association of GB and NI list.

Ed also has a ranking in the Junior Men's National rankings, where he is placed third just six months after first competing at this level.

He is the youngest skater listed in a category that encompasses skaters who may be up to 19 years old.

Ed's brother, Elliot, is presently ranked fourth in the Advanced Novice Men's national rankings.

He has received confirmation that he will join Ed in the NISA Advanced Novice Talent Potential squad for the remainder of the season.

Over the festive season, the pair were invited by Ice Professional Candice Towler-Green to make guest appearances at the Streatham Ice Show, in London.

Both Ed and Elliot specially-choreographed programmes received a great response from the audience at the event, where the theme was "Saturday Night at the Movies".

The pair will travel to compete in Belgium in February and will also represent NISA and GBR, in the same month.

They will be looking to maintain and build on their impressive results during the first half of the season.

They will also aim to develop their competition programme elements and new choreography with their Ice Professionals John Wicker and Jane Faux, based at Riverside Ice and Leisure, Chelmsford.