Snow joke trying to train in the big freeze

Unicycling champion Jason Auld is appealing for help to find somewhere he can train during the bad weather so that he can win back his title this spring.

The 21-year-old from Newington has been learning to do stunts on one wheel since the age of 14 and turned professional in 2008 – the same year he became Britain's best.

But unless he can find a dry indoor space to train in, he fears he won't be in top form when he tries to win back his title at this spring's British Unicycle Convention, and is looking for help.

He said: "I would probably normally start training now for it but because of the terrible weather I've not had an opportunity to go out very often. It's very important for me in terms of having that title. It just says you're the best in the country at what you do.

"The way I look at it is that because I'm doing it professionally, I have to judge myself by similar standards to other professional athletes, so if I don't train every single day I feel I'm not working hard enough."

As the unicycle equivalent of stunt cyclist Danny MacAskill, Jason describes his sport as "like BMX, but on one wheel", with leaps up and down steps, along rails and over barriers.

But because the sport is so young, riders must constantly develop new skills and stunts to stay ahead of their competitors. He is currently trying to perfect a forward somersault off a 6ft ledge, something which can currently only be done by two other unicyclists worldwide.

He said: "Being able to train now would definitely give me an edge over the rest of the guys in the competition and would give me the chance to start doing things that would catch a bit more attention. I need just an open flat space with a roof so that there's no rain or snow, and well-lit."

The former Boroughmuir school pupil tried his luck on TV show Britain's Got Talent last year, but was voted off by an unappreciative panel of judges. His enthusiasm was undimmed, however, and he has remained dedicated to the sport. He said: "I got my first unicycle for my 14th birthday and it's kind of evolved over the time I've been doing it. Street unicycling was pretty much brand new when I started doing it, new tricks were being invented, people were doing ridiculous things.

"Everyone wants to do something significant and different with their life and doing this I do think that I'm definitely doing something different. I don't feel like I'm the best at something that already exists, I feel like I could be writing a new chapter."

His search for practice space has the support of Southside/Newington Councillor Cameron Rose, who said: "He's obviously developing a fitness and physical skill in a serious sport which challenges the 'cotton wool culture', and I give all credit to him.

"It would be very helpful if some businessman or owner of some premises could see their way to help him."