THE final finalists in Planet Ice’s new flagship programme Skating Stars will skate to decide the winner during the Skating Stars Gala at the Basingstoke Arena on Sunday at 5pm.

The five finalists are Milly Alexander-Stiff, Archie Price, Holly McDonagh, Jacob Ray and Pip Lovelock and the lucky winner will skate at the Professionals on Ice Show in Basingstoke next month.

As well the five finalists, other members of the Basingstoke Ice Skating Club will be skating at the special gala, which has an admission charge of £2, with doors opening at 4.45pm.

The Skating Stars initiative was launched earlier in the summer for non skaters to learn to skate and was inspired by Torvill and Dean’s TV show Ice Rink on the Estate.

They started with 15 skaters, who were whittled down to 10 and then to the final five, who had six more weeks of training to get them ready to perform in a special gala to showcase their talent.

The winner will receive a year’s free unlimited ice skating pass, including skating lessons, and the opportunity to skate in the ice show Professionals on Ice.

Basingstoke Arena rink manager Anita Curtis said: “We are so pleased with the progress that each skater has made from the start until now. The five skaters that we have chosen show true potential.”

Michael Jaye, coach for the skating stars, said: “The progression between the skaters has been remarkable. I’m so impressed with how much they have learnt.

“Each and every person has come out of their shell. I see great potential within these five skating stars and I am looking forward to the gala.

“The last few weeks are going to be intense. We are going to be putting them through their paces, seeing who shines.”