Feet slipping beneath them, they gripped the rail and stared at the ice, nervous excitement etched on their faces.

The class of eight and nine-year-olds took to the ice yesterday for the launch of a scheme which will teach 600 Bradford children a week how to skate. The venture, organised by Bradford Ice Hockey Club, is funded by a £50,000 grant from Sportsmatch, a Government body promoting sport in inner city areas. The aim is to provide ice skating and ice hockey training for schools in West Bradford.

The Ice Arena is providing the venue and facilities free and the Sportsmatch cash will pay for a full-time coach.

A pilot scheme involving six schools, launched yesterday by the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Richard Wightman, will run until summer. In September a permanent scheme for 13 schools will start.

Year 4 pupils at Horton Park Primary School were first on the ice yesterday morning and spent an hour on the rink, with help from three Ice Arena coaches.

Head teacher Sarah Dawson said most of them had never skated before.

"It's a wonderful opportunity for them to take up a sport they may not normally have tried," she said.

"Even if they don't take up skating they will learn skills like balance, co-ordination and team building."

Bradford Ice Hockey Club chairman Phil Lewis said: "The head teachers have been very enthusiastic, they realise that sport plays an important part in the school day. West Bradford schools were chosen because the Ice Arena is on their doorsteps.

"I hope that by July these children will be confident skaters."

The club's head coach Charles Dacres learned to skate at Bradford Ice Arena when he was ten.

He said: "This is the age when they need to start learning ice hockey and hopefully some of these children will join the club.

Councillor Wightman, said "It's good to see young children having more opportunities and choices in sporting activity. I hope it will mean fitter, more skilled, more confident children - and more business for the city centre."

Nine-year-old Faheem Ashraf said: "I'd like to learn ice hockey. It's really good because we're doing this with school."

Jade Fleming, nine, said: "It's my first time but I have roller blades so I can balance. We're going to play the real game in a few days, I'm looking forward to it."

Bradford Council leader Councillor Margaret Eaton said: "To see young people enjoying themselves but at the same time working towards a healthier lifestyle is fantastic.

"With ice hockey they learn team skills which are so necessary as they're growing up."