WINTER may be fast approaching but one skiiing club has already stacked its skis on a successful season on the slopes.

Bromley Race Club based in Sidcup and attracting members from across south London and Kent boasts one of the stongest racing teams in the London and South East Regional Ski Association (LSERSA).

They have taken the season's regional skiing competition by storm winning individual races and regularly taking the top spots in team events.

You may be wondering how skiers can triumph on the snowless slopes of south east England.

It is because the team ski at the Bromley Ski Centre, on the dry slopes.

Last season Bromley Race Club took silver and bronze in the final of the English Schools Race, gold in the Kent Schools Race and gold and silver in the LSERSA individuals.

As part of the LSERSA regional team members took first and second position in the UK competition.

Instructor Nigel Brain said: "Over the years the club has gone from strength to strength and this level of excellence has only been achieved by the dedication of our qualified coaches.

"They are Andy Proudlove, Sean Atchinson, Raymond Brown, Peter Walters, Ben Clark and Martin Creasey."

Members of the club, off Sandy Lane, St Paul's Cray, compete in national races with members as young as six years old.

Most recently, in an inter-regional competition, members took high places in all three age categories.

Georgina Luck took second in the under-13s, Stacey Luck claimed top prize in the under-17s section and Katherine Earle was second in under-19s.

Held at High Wickham it was the last competition of the season which gave it an edge.

Nigel said: "It was evident nerves were high, especially when the racers were in the start gate.

"Although there are three runs it is only the last and the better of the first two runs which count. The last was after lunch and everyone knew it was very important so it was even more nerve-racking.

"It had already been announced Bromley had come third overall and so we wanted to get some individual prizes.

"Each Bromley racer was given great support as they exited the gate and despite the odd crash or disqualification it was clear everyone had put in more than 100 per cent.

"We are delighted with the prizes and everyone deserves great credit."

He added: "We have a great time at these races and owe a lot of thanks to our coaches and parents."

Bromley Race Club was formed in 1993 and has grown to become one of the largest in the south east.

The club is so big the squad has needed to be changed to operate on two levels the development squad and the race squad.

For more information on the centre or the club, visit the website justskiit.co.uk