FOR Kerry Wood,  ice-skating is a way of life, working and training at Oxford Ice Rink.

But the 23-year-old from Headington is hoping the Winter Olympics inspire more people to take up sports like ice-skating.

She is currently training with coach Alison Morrell five times a week to take part in various competitions.

She said: “It’s going to be really fun and it would be great if the Olympics brought more people in.”

The Oxpens Road venue is putting on sessions next week to encourage interest in the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Russia.

The Games run until February 23.

Julia Burson, of Fusion Lifestyle, which runs the rink with Oxford City Council, said: “This is a great chance for local schoolchildren to find out what the Winter Olympics is all about and how an ice rink is operated.

“We have great facilities and many up and coming skaters in figure skating and ice hockey, so hopefully it will encourage them to get involved.”

The two-hour workshops start at 10am and will be held at the ice rink on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

More than 300 children are already expected to attend, Ms Burson said.

Interested schools should email julia.burson@fusion-lifestyle.com