A roller-skating coach who helped turn pupils into national champions for 24 years has been hailed as a man who “changed their lives”. 

Brian Paddington, of Witchford, started taking his two children to roller-skating sessions when they were three and six. 

But after taking up the sport as a hobby, he found that there were no competitions for adults in East Cambridgeshire. 

“I started skating as an adult and there was a club in Soham we went to,” said Brian. 

“There were no competitions for adults, so I helped start up some competitions.” 

In 1999, Brian, who has taught around 300 children while at Ely Roller Skating Club, received a phone call from the club in Ely who were without a coach. 

He took up the role and from then on, he made the position his own. 

“I only missed two days through illness; it was four days a week for 24 years,” Brian recalled. 

READ MORE: Five minutes with Brian Paddington

Many of those under Brian’s tutelage have become British champions in figure, dance and free-skating disciplines. 

Since announcing he would be stepping down from his role on January 21, Brian has received dozens of letters and cards from children and parents thanking him for his help. 

“We had people [of different ages] coming, and my aim was to teach kids the highest standards of skating,” Brian said. 

“I have had a lot from my class saying I’ve changed their lives and parents have thanked me; it makes me feel very pleased. 

Sophie Woodbridge will now lead the coaching team as Brian, a keen badminton and golf player, will stay in touch with the club as he prepares to spend more time with his wife. 

He added: “I was not looking to achieve this [success], but just to do the best I could with the children.”